Updating the Brockley Map
It's time to update the area map and list of recommended places again. There have been a few nominations flying around recently, but please list any suggested additions here.
The online home for all things Brockley (SE4), Deptford, Ladywell, Lewisham and New Cross
It's time to update the area map and list of recommended places again. There have been a few nominations flying around recently, but please list any suggested additions here.
Posted by
Brockley Nick
on
6.1.11
36 comments:
I"m going to make a play for Turners Hardware just opposite Braxfield/Arabin road. Always willing to help for DIY emergencies, and order stuff specially for you. Really helpful guys. Might need a new 'DIY' category though! Also on a similar topic, Howarth Timber have a nice store out the back that stocks all sorts of useful DIY things, not always with a 'timber' theme. Again, really helpful.
Fair play on Turners. Howarth have never been helpful in my experience or those of two builders I know.
What about the Tanners Hill duo of WH Wellbeloved (wonderful place-one of my absolute Brockley highlights) and the Deptford Deli?
Absolutely, thanks.
Will have a proper look (and try to dig out some links) later, but some obvious omissions include the butcher on Ewhurst Rd, and the butchers and fishmongers in Nunhead. Also The Old Bank in HOP and Bohemia Hair.
Alas Shop on the Hill and La Laterna (for now) should be removed.
Can I ask what the criteria for inclusion is? I can understand why we don't include every convenience store and take-away but I'm interested in where we draw the line.
Clearly I meant "criteria are". *hangs head in shame*
No fixed criteria really. Broadly speaking:
- We're not the Yellow Pages, so we're not listing every newsagent and accountants in the area - it's about the best of Brockley - the stuff that stands out in terms of quality or that you'd recommend to someone who'd never been here before
- It doesn't have to be in Brockley itself - greater Brockley will do. Good stuff in Nunhead, etc is welcome.
- The judges' decision is final, but that includes you, as an editor. We do reserve the right not to include businesses that we couldn't personally recommend. For example, I have left off Meze Mangal from the recommended places list, not because I don't think it's a good restaurant (I love the food) but because I can't hand-on-heart recommend a place that insists on using a sea container as a place to keep its wood.
Understood, although I'd definitely have Meze Mangal in anyway. Even without the container it would be no oil-painting from the outside, but it's bloody great once you get in.
More later.
Unless that is to be regarded as an enterprising eccentricity. Glad to learn that it is actually being used for something positive.
I don't regard it as an enterprising eccentricity, I think it's an antisocial corner-cutting measure for which we all suffer.
Agree about Howarths. They don't seem that interested in the smll DIYer. I was after some odd sized floorboards they weren't that helpfull even though I'm sure they could have sorted me out. Much more trade orientated methinks. The screws and nails etc are much cheaper than B&Q though (unsurprisingly)
I ended up going to these guys...
http://www.catfordtimber.co.uk/
They were completly different. Offered advice and cut down some planks for me and also planned them down to the exact thickness that I was after. Also deliver for free on a Sat morning, even for small quantities (I assume only if you're close and on their round?) Highly recommended but perhaps a bit far from the border of Greater Brockley.
Obvious omissions for me are
- London Particular
- Montague Arms
- FC Sopers
- The Hill Station
All of these places offer something special. Far more so than many others already on the list!
Cheers
Is Peter James the Ewhurst Road butcher on there?
If not shame on you.
If so, shame on me.
Yes, all good suggestions and two of them have come along since the map was last updated, which is a good sign that the area's moving in the right direction...
Regarding Howarth timber - I felt utterly unwelcome there and the staff were bordering on rude. To echo Monkeyboy's comments, I went to Catford timber afterwards - I found the staff friendly and helpful. Great customer service.
Glad I'm not the only one then. They're definitely not going on the map.
As I live nearby, I tried poppoing in for some stuff.
"Hello, I live down the road from you and..."
"Unlucky mate, har har."
Very witty. No map for you! I'm sure they'll rue the day...
Nunhead Drycleaners - always amazing service and even got a bottle of fizz at christmas for being a nice customer, can't complain there!
Starlite Drycleaners in Crofton Park and Jumping Bean and Hop Scotch in HOP please!
Hmmmn maybe it's just your overbearing attitude or air of condescension then, as I've always found Howarth Timber to be really helpful and friendly...
Nope. Maybe you get on well with them because you are rude also?
Terry's All Locks
Good locksmiths with a chocolatey name.
Nick, you surprise me. I would have thought the quality and value of the food would override other considerations. The road is already grotty and unappealing, so I'm not sure that container makes much difference, and it is used for good.
That said, maybe a compromise would be for them to give it some sort of paint job, or paint a mural that makes it more aesthetically pleaing.
Lewisham Way is actually very well kept and extremely handsome in many parts. Just opposite is a lovely flower garden and just along from it are some very nice houses.
I think businesses shouldn't take the piss and I don't want to promote one that does, that's all.
PS - a compromise would be as suggested on another thread. They get their wood delivered on a regular basis and get rid of that eyesore.
How about the dry cleaners in Ladywell? Very helpful, will do anything for you - zips, buttons etc. - and good local gossip!
I went on a mini pub crawl of half a dozen pubs on New Year's Eve.
Those charging an enttrance fee were excluded but even so I would only recommend two of those visited namely;
The Dog and Bell
and
The Talbot
What about Bohemia Hair? Been there twice now - very good salon.
What do Bohemia charge for a geezer cut?
I'd have thought the container should be on the map as a separate entity. I find its robust ant-beach hut appearance appealing.
if we're going DIY, i love Whites the trade paint etc shop on brockley road. have helped me out over and above usual service many a time. I also found in incredible place for pressies this December called Jellybeans or something, in Honor Oak, wish I'd known about it earlier.
ps. is the garden centre on the map? if not it definitely should be, they deliver too. Shannons, on the way to forest hill.
I second whites, if you need advice on decorating as well as the materials.
I love Ayres Bakery in Nunhead, on same strip as FC Soper's and the fruit and veg shop which is also a star attraction of that street for me. And I must say I am a bit besotted with Kristal Pharmacy on that same Nunhead stretch - everything from plush-fur wigs to spangled shirts in plastic boxes to Elvis memorabilia. It is insane. Brilliant.
If you knew someone who worked in Ayers Bakery, you wouldn't love it any more.
Well I don't so I'll go on enjoying it I guess!
@thisisengland £22 for a wash and cut at Bohemia I think. And I think they're still doing 20% discounts for first timers.
Walked past a couple of times yesterday, incidentally, and it was pretty busy. Really pleased they seem to be getting business.
Updated, thank you.
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