R.I.P Le Chandelier

[KateFord]

Saw this today, does anyone know why it's closing?

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-53722154.html

[????]

I dunno but we are NOT allowed to mention that place on the Forum without a bunch of writs flying Admins way....I won't miss it if it's true

[nxjen]

Yes, we couldn't possibly comment

[Alan Medic]

I'm pretty sure that ban was lifted ages ago.

[Penguin68]

I think the lease has been up for sale for some time.

[KateFord]

Oh yes I see the ban: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,915467

Okay, but at least does anyone know if it was due to rent increases? Lack of business? Owners trying something new?

[LondonMix]

Correct

Penguin68 Wrote:

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> I think the lease has been up for sale for some

> time.

[LondonMix]

Its not due to rent increases. I called about this when it was first listed.

ateFord Wrote:

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> Oh yes I see the ban:

> http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?3

> 0,915467

>

> Okay, but at least does anyone know if it was due

> to rent increases? Lack of business? Owners trying

> something new?

[DulwichFox]

MMmmmh On offer..? Lease up for sale... Tempting...

*** The Lair ***

http://images.clipartpanda.com/fox-clip-art-fox-clip-art-1.jpg

I like it...

Foxy

[LondonMix]

I was trying to figure out what the were selling-- the building, the going concern etc as the price seemed low. They couldn't clarify at the time so I dropped it but they mentioned that they didn't know what the rent would after the current lease expired as the rent review hasn't done.

[theboycj]

it was pretty expensive wasnt it? think tea and cake came in well over the ?10 mark

[first mate]

If trye it is going l'll really miss it. A real little oasis, lovely atmosphere. Best coffee and tea shop around.

[DaveR]

"I was trying to figure out what the were selling-- the building, the going concern etc as the price seemed low."

It seems to be the balance of a 20 year lease granted in 2007, so 11 odd years to run. At a yet to be determined rent.

[Catalyst]

Same here. I've always really liked it.

[robbin]

Went once - thought the service was less than adequate and the food wasn't great, although the tea was quite nice. That was a few years ago though - I never bothered going back as it just wasn't welcoming enough or good enough to justify a second visit.

[Listen up]

You have basically encapsulated my entire thoughts on the place Robbin. Went in once, nice selection of teas, service took an age and unhelpful. For the price and the only reasonable quality of produce never went back again...

robbin Wrote:

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> Went once - thought the service was less than

> adequate and the food wasn't great, although the

> tea was quite nice. That was a few years ago

> though - I never bothered going back as it just

> wasn't welcoming enough or good enough to justify

> a second visit.

[Tractorlad]

No tears shed here.

[philosophie]

I am going to stick up for Le Chandelier! Love the cakes, the teas, the pastries. Really sweet d?cor and vibe. I'd be v sad to see it go.

[Zebedee Tring]

After Le Chandelier issued their ultimatum to EDF, I decided that as a matter of principle that I could not visit an establishment that was unable to accept criticism. In any events, I had heard bad reports of the place from my wife and others. In the words of Harry S Truman, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

I can't really mourn their departure.

[Jennys]

When I went there the tea was lukewarm and the pretty but very small cup not very full either. I never went back.

[kibris]

Here today gone Tomorrow

[first mate]

I had no idea this place was so unpopular I do not understand why. I must have been extraordinarily lucky on multiple visits to experience good service, good coffee and cakes and, in my view, the decor is lovely. I so dread somewhere like this disappearing to be replaced by a sterile chain or something less interesting to look at. I have always felt it was like a little but of Paris in ED.

[????]

2 reasons for me.

Threatening the forum legally rather than responding or ignoring criticism - the Greek place did this too, so as a matter of principle I wouldn't go; secondly, rather than explicitly saying don't come in with babies/prams just making it really clear you weren't welcome, was really unpleasant to have been there for a few years no problem and then when you had kids - it was like a passive aggressive 'fuck off' Couldn't be arsed with that. Not been in there for 10 years or so

[Penguin68]

Wasn't fond of the mice (note plural) either. BUT (amended to add) there were/ are elements of charm in the eclectic collections of crockery etc. The wide range of teas (assuming they were fresh) was admirable and the coffee was normally good. But the cake display was, when I went, always parsimonious, and there were often items on the (drinks) menu listed but not available. Haven't been there for some time. Things may have changed. But I have found many better (and even better value) places elsewhere on the LL strip and adjacent.

[Chief]

"Went once - thought the service was less than adequate and the food wasn't great, although the tea was quite nice - I never bothered going back as it just wasn't welcoming enough or good enough to justify a second visit."

I AGREE - lots of better places in ED.