The old Clayton Arms, Peckham

[Louisa]

Rumour has it a new bar and restaurant is opening on the site of the former Clayton Arms in Peckham, this coming bank holiday.

http://dollshousepeckham.com/Peckham/dolls_house.html

Little information beyond this, but the people behind the project run two other bars 'The Doll's House', Islington and 'The Dead Doll's Club', Bethnal Green. Does anyone have any further information on this? Would be great to see this derelict sad hostelry brought back to life again.

Louisa.

[mancity68]

Think there was an article about this in Peckham Peculiar an issue or so ago. Not really any more than this though

[mancity68]

http://peckhampeculiar.tumblr.com/post/110571318624/pub-to-be-dolled-up-the-clayton-arms-is-set-to

[JohnL]

The only pub I've ever walked into and been the only person there - no bar staff even.

There was some demolition going on in the garden bit yesterday - thought the whole place was going.

[Parkdrive]

I went to my mates 21st in there, what a salubrious establishment. Sticky carpets, the lot.

[Jah Lush]

As much as I hate to see any pub close its doors I can't see that type of establishment working on that side of Peckham. I don't think it is ready for it yet. I seriously hope I'm wrong of course and I wish them luck.

[Louisa]

I agree Jah, think it would be more suitable for PR or Bellenden area. Nice to see all the hype about Peckham isn't just restricted to Frank's any longer though, what with John the Unicorn and The Hope opening up too.

Louisa.

[Jeremy]

Not sure about this. On one hand, it's not too far away from a few other new openings, e.g. The Hope or Beer Rebellion. But on the other hand... there seems to be a real dichotomy between the location and what the new owners seem to be proposing.

[DuncanW]

Good luck to them - obvs!

It certainly looks like a bold venture...

[aquarius moon]

It's good that it's not the Bellenden area (again).

The Nigel Rd end of Peckham has recently had a makeover with two new cafes, a bar/restaurant, an organic shop etc.

Now it's the turn of Queens Rd. Up by the station there are also new shops including a Blackbird bakery & South American restaurant/takeaway. It has smartened up the area and a really nice pub will make such a difference. It's just what that part of Peckham needs.

[Jeremy]

aquarius moon Wrote:

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> It's just what that part of Peckham needs.

I dunno. I think what that part of Peckham really needs is something inclusive and grounded... not some daft "buy a bottle of spirits for ?100 and sit in the pretentious members area all night" set-up. But what do I know... these guys are businessmen and presumably know their shit...

[titch juicy]

I think there's a fair bit of traction up that end now- and even if it starts slowly it won't stay that way for long.

[Jeremy]

OK titch... see you on the mauve velvet sofa, behind the VIP rope. I'll have a bottle of Grey Goose ready.

[titch juicy]

Ah, just read the peckham peculiar piece- I missed the point a bit.

[Jeremy]

Ach... maybe I'm too cynical. I wish them luck, and I admire the bold entrepreneurship.

[aquarius moon]

I just think ANY decent pub where you can get a nice meal will be a good addition to the area.

[Otta]

A pub where locals will feel welcome and comfortable would be a good start.

[titch juicy]

Otta Wrote:

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> A pub where locals will feel welcome and

> comfortable would be a good start.

What put the locals off the old place? Surely if it was 'spit & sawdust' they wanted then it wouldn't be closing down due to lack of custom? Or was it too far the other way?

[Louisa]

The old Claytons Arms was ransacked during the riots of 2011, and it didn't really recover from that, hence its closure.

Louisa.

[Otta]

titch juicy Wrote:

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

> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > A pub where locals will feel welcome and

> > comfortable would be a good start.

>

> What put the locals off the old place? Surely if

> it was 'spit & sawdust' they wanted then it

> wouldn't be closing down due to lack of custom?

> Or was it too far the other way?

Wasn't suggesting spit and sawdust, but surely there's a happy medium between that and VIP lounges?

I can't actually open the article on work computer, so just going by this thread.

[JohnL]

Is membership by bring a bottle :)

[Parkdrive]

It was part and parcel of the council estate as was the red cow a little further down, both were bloody awful from day one.

[Jeremy]

My gut feeling is that after a few months they'll ditch the whole membership/VIP stuff. They need to pitch it to the local market.

If they're open late and do studenty club nights then they might do well. Coupled with pub grub and sunday roasts for a bit of daytime trade.

[Louisa]

The only issue I think they may encounter, is the fact the venue isn't close enough to a station or any other immediate bars. It's a little out of the way. Reputation building would of course remedy that potential disadvantage though.

Louisa.

[Jeremy]

It's a pretty easy walk from both of the stations, and as I said earlier, not a million miles away from The Hope or Beer Rebellion. But yeah, they certainly won't be relying on passing trade.. it will have to become a destination to succeed.