Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Was strolling around the Bellenden area for the first time in ages and noticed several agreeable looking shop fronts - a cholatier, wholefood shop etc. Nice villagey vibe - even better, dare I suggest, than that in ED. Only trouble was, none of these shops were actually open. Ok it was around 5pm - but still! Couldnt work out whether they were new businesses on the verge of opening for trade or established businesses foundering on the rocks of recession. My question is, is Bellenden just taking off , or just about to crash?
Unfortunately the wholefood shop you mention has closed, as has the coffee shop on the corner, Lucius and Richards. However, the Review bookshop is the best bookshop in the area and Petitou on Choumert is easily the friendliest cafe. I could also go as far as to say Ganapati up the road is the best Indian. The drycleaners is also brilliantly friendly. ED it aint, but there are some treasures there, though I would agree there has been some interesting choices of businesses there in the past, Fish shop? Carpet shop and now woodcarving shop?!

mumra Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> ED it aint,


It has about twice the character of Lordship Lane in my opinion, if only for the general lack of pushchairs / ED-ites who would never be seen dead crossing the border.


That healthfood shop was rubbish, hardly a loss - the booze shop is 24-hour and there's 2 pool tables in the pubs on opposite corners : )

A new caf? is due to open where Lucius and Richards was...there's a sign in the window.

I think good shops are well supported on the road - the bookshop, Fenton Walsh, Petitou, etc....I agree the "wholefood" shop was rubbish...it tried to cash in on the whole "organic" vibe, but failed to deliver.


It's a great place to live. Quieter, friendlier and indeed far cheaper than East Dulwich (imho).

A new caf? is due to open where Lucius and Richards was...there's a sign in the window.

I think good shops are well supported on the road - the bookshop, Fenton Walsh, Petitou, etc....I agree the "wholefood" shop was rubbish...it tried to cash in on the whole "organic" scene, but failed to deliver.


It's a great place to live. Quieter, friendlier and indeed far cheaper than East Dulwich (imho).

It wasn't the SMBS folks, no. It was these guys: http://mybayberry.co.uk/default.aspx


And nice as they were, they really didn't know what they were doing.


The carpet shop was only ever a punt - they've got a warehouse elsewhere and just had a go at a retail outlet, quickly realised it wasn't going to go anywhere and cut their losses.

Bayberry, I think, started out as upmarket deli but quickly descended into a bit of everything (hot pies, nappies, etc).


They lost their target market and sold pretty substandard fresh veg/fruit at outrageous prices.


Lovely chap but no business nous.

Bellenden Road is OK, but to be honest you can walk from one end of the shops to the other in about 30 seconds... there really isn't much there (and I'm local to the area). I hope it picks up a bit, but it's a bit of a funny area to open a shop because it isn't really a main thoroughfare like Lordship Lane.

bellenden road is a lovely little area, its not a big main street like lordship lane but is still a quite a busys street and services those who cant make it to lordship lane or choose to shop somewhere different. it has a good selection of little independent shops and yes it could do with a few more but they will come. lordship lane 8 years ago was very different to what it is now, it takes time for areas to become established.



all the below are whats available on bellenden road and if you have never been down here give it a go!


review - bookshop

petit tou - cafe

the montpelier - lovely pub

fenton walsh - clothes shop

casa - reclaimed furniture

melange - chocolate shop and cafe

fish and chip shop that also sells fresh fish

newsagents

friends of fabric - drycleaners and alteration shop

cafe ora

crossroads cafe

wishing well pub

launderette

locksmiths

2 x estate agents

plumbing shop

sunblessed bakery

stationers

24/7supermarket

hairdressers

dog parlour

and you cant forget sams kebabs!


soon to be opened - vegetarian cafe in what use to be lucius and richards and also a rumour that the old carpet shop is going to be a foody shop aswell!!

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> How could you forget the Prince Albert?!


Ace pub... pool table, cheap beer, lock ins... the antithesis of an '?9 bangers and mash and pint of Staropramen with Nightmares on Wax on the stereo' hellhole.

There's a good mix of old and new. Desmond's is yonks old, Chaz has been there for 37 years but there's newer stuff too. The chippy is great, the bookshop is ace and Crossroads cafe is an institution and much less stuck up than Petitou (which, by the by, is also horrifically overpriced.


Melange Chocolate is booming apparently and quite right too. Not sure I can see Mahogan-ey or whatever it is called faring so well. Bayberry was rubbish, glad it has gone and Lucius and Richards was a bit pricey though the woman that ran it was nice. Apparently the Dog hairdresser has been there for a million years as well. I live locally and I love it. Friendliest place I've lived in London.

Hello Northlondoner,


are you from South ?


The Wholefood shop you are mentionning is now closed since 5 months. have you been around recently ?


I run The chocolate shop, and it's open from Wedneday to Sunday. May be you came on a Monday or Tuesday. but the Schedule is in the window.


Thanks for worriing about our Dear Bellenden Road, who does its best to stay alive thanks to the support of all of you.


Isabelle

Melange Chocolate Shop

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • I’d just like local family businesses to not be shut down by big chains, and I think we should support local businesses and our community. I’m sure they are very nice people who pay their taxes too.   
    • maxxi maxes out. Week 8 points...   Week 8 table...  
    • You may have seen an article in the paper today about Jewish leaders and notables calling on the UN and world leaders to sanction Israel [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/22/jewish-notables-open-letter-un-sanction-israel], "... Prominent Jewish figures around the world are calling on the United Nations and world leaders to impose sanctions on Israel over what they describe as “unconscionable” actions amounting to genocide in Gaza. Over 450 signatories, including former Israeli officials, Oscar winners, authors and intellectuals have signed an open letter demanding accountability over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The letter’s release comes as EU leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday amid reports they plan to shelve proposals for sanctions over human rights violations. “We have not forgotten that so many of the laws, charters, and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust,” the signatories write. “Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel.” ..."   There is also a petition we can sign to support them in their call for justice: Direct link: https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/stand_with_jews_demand_action_loc_cp1/?tUwBCsb&v=502713833&cl=22394973010&_checksum=7dc99acb5dd4fc5a43a24e21772f51005ea239753e9ae3033d9f79ffd6119559 "For the first time since the ceasefire, a powerful coalition of Jewish voices have come together, urging world leaders to keep the pressure up until real accountability and freedom are achieved.Their call can shift the political mood and give leaders courage to act decisively -- Amplify their voices and stand with them: The demands of Global Jewish Voices: To respect and abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice, noting their application also in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; to apply arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court; and to resist efforts to unduly pressure and influence and prevent the workings of both courts. To refuse any complicity in continued crimes and violations of international law against Palestinians by Israel, including by ending the provision of arms and other relevant goods and services; to use relevant leverage, including targeted sanctions on governmental bodies and individuals responsible for violations of international law, and suspension of relations with commercial entities contributing to these violations. To ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all Palestinians in Gaza at the scale that is commensurate to their vital need, that the blockade is lifted and materials for reconstruction enter, and that there is a full Israeli military withdrawal. To refute false accusations of antisemitism that abusively deploy our collective history to tarnish those with whom we stand together in the pursuit of peace and justice. If you are of Jewish heritage you can also sign here, and we will add the number of your voices to support the Jewish call for justice. Posted: 22 October 2025"  
    • I've actually met Luke Johnson and he's actually a very amicable, witty and extremely clever man. He's also created thousands of jobs and generated millions and millions of pounds of tax revenue for the government, offering goods and hospitality that countless millions of people have enjoyed over the decades. I'm not a fan of Gail's but I'm also not a fan of people who knock down good guys that have contributed a huge amount to this country.  Anyway, French Patisseries and southern hemisphere coffee don't belong on Farmer's markets. 
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...