just_browsing

While I sympathise with the staff, I also wouldn't go out of my way to support H&B - they are far from being a local, independent and I see the investment company that owns it got in various tangles re one of its founders (Russia, sanctions etc). From shopping angle, I used to like them but in recent years (no idea if that coincided with ownership changes) I feel as a brand it's lost its USP and charm. And as per other discussions, would hope the likes of Healthmatters aren't negatively impacted in these really difficult retail times. That's not me wishing they close forthwith, in case it reads that way, just highlighting they aren't the H&B I think they were back in the day.

Our son really doesn't interact with others much and very rarely gets out, but when he does, an ice cream at the cafe is a favourite treat (even when it's freezing outside). Like yours, it's a single-person data point - in our case, no illness. Bugs can come from anything/anyone - other people are far more likely to be the unwitting carriers, in my view. Having gone there for years and years, never had a concern re the ice cream. And generally do worry about linking an establishment with illness/standards, even as a question as, even subconsciously, the association may stick in people's minds (and if they stop the ice cream, we'll be devastated!).

And BYO in Nunhead, and JARR Market in Herne Hill.

You can just walk into Guy's and they will do it(my second vaccine was four months ago). 20 minute wait yesterday.

Sorry to chip in as know it's gone a little off-question, but prompted by previous post as I'm not as convinced by the linked article and the specific point on South Korea. It is not as if the only difference between South Korea and Italy is mask-wearing. South Korea did really impressive and comprehensive testing and tracing, as did some of the other Asian countries whose trajectory has been similar. Correlation doesn't mean causation basically. Look at Germany, the European country which has, along with Iceland, done the most testing and tracing as far as I can see, and where the number of deaths is significantly lower than Italy, Spain, France and UK. Personally, I'm just waiting for official WHO/UK advice to change, if it does, and sorry again as I know this is about purchasing masks, on which there might be a distinction between "proper" PPE ones that those on the frontline need and could still be in short supply vs more basic (but potentially, subject to evidence, still useful especially in terms of not spreading one's own germs) which, as others have said, seem to be available or makeable. Essentially, completely agree people should be able to get and wear masks if they want them, in a way that doesn't deprive those on the frontline, while of course needing to be careful of the risks identified by others - their potential as germ accumulators and false security lullers.

More happy customers, brilliant work to prepare for and lay new turf, including digging out loads of bricks and rubble which we didn?t know were lurking! Saied has been professional, patient, clean and tidy, and attentive throughout, and is a lovely guy too. Highly recommended.

I was about to ask a similar question - we are just in SE15 have Virgin for phone, broadband and TV and have had enough - wifi is very very patchy, phone often doesn't work, and we don't really use the TV - use an Amazon stick to access BBC iPlayer, Netflix etc. We would like a package that includes recordable TV, reliable wifi, and a phone line. Because of the recordable TV objective, I think that really leaves us with Sky, BT or Virgin. We walked away from Sky in a different location years ago, and no idea what their performance is like here, while we have heard mixed local reviews on BT. Any warnings/recommendations? Thanks!

I think I prefer Picasso's efforts as a 14 year old, see attached, but hey

They tagged the building site hoarding opposite too, either as an extended part of their articulate and adroit artistic and social commentary or because, you know, it was there.

Many thanks all. We've ordered in the paint Mehdi used and are working with the paint suppliers and the gallery that represents him to do our best to get it back to its old self. Thanks for tips on varnish (part of question is breathability of varnish but seems the tech may have moved on since we last looked), while with all due respect to the council, the fear of them just painting over in white means we're exploring these other options. But it is great they offer the service. As for graffiti spontaneity, I get the argument more when the original piece is more 'graffiti' in nature and style (and to be clear, nothing wrong at all with that, not a criticism or snobbery) when you can at times see a genuine coming together of different artists' efforts, but here, with a combination of a precise and pristine mural that could be replicated in a gallery print / painting on the one side and a meaningless tag with zero artistic effort or merit, I am disinclined to agree on this occasion.

Sadly someone has vandalised the Mehdi Ghadyanloo mural on Kinsale Road - see pic. Gallery and specialist paint suppliers have been made aware, but any other suggestions hugely welcome. Especially gutting so soon after the sad passing of Ingrid Beazley, who put so much energy and passion into this and the other murals. Any wise ideas on getting this c@$p off?

Brilliant service today - accidentally pierced water pipe, and soon water coming through ceiling, setting off alarms etc and the brothers were here within 15/20 minutes. Good-natured, calm, effective, and professional, they dealt with the problem swiftly, offered advice and were on their way. Reasonably priced too. Thanks and best of luck.

Relieved to say our cat found (albeit rather traumatised so may have had a run-in with said dog) but remain appalled by what happened to other cats. Beyond the cats, having a dangerous dog on the loose is obviously a risk to people as well as cats and dogs, and it can't be that everyone waits until, god forbid, a toddler is attacked until something is done about this dog?

This is awful, and huge sympathy for cat owners. Our cat Hartley went missing last night - a white and ginger cat with wavy fur and a fluffy tail. Last seen on Fenwick Road. When was this dog last seen?

So here is the Kinsale Road mural. Pretty fantastic if you ask me.

Firstly, I wasn't making an argument but rather asking a question and I hoped the follow-up sentence would make that clear. Second,(again, to be clear, this is more a question than an argument) were lots of people shouting out for a Franco Manca before it was announced/rumoured? I expect if an African restaurant opened up there would be lots of people looking forward to its opening, but that's distinct from baying for one in the first place. Anyway, I would be interested by other people's (other than me, not other than Dulwich Fox, to be clear..) reactions to or information on some of the new places that have both opened and are due to open.

Or is it because of this very close proximity that anyone who wants these restaurants knows that there are plenty of options either a walk or a short bus ride away? Difficult to be sure either way. The recent Peckham Peculiar has a good article on a Nigerian restaurant that I'm keen to try. Any recommendations for African/Caribbean restaurants would be great, new or old - I expect using the search function will throw up some options.

On the subject of new shops in the area (and throwing Nunhead into the area, forgive me), some reactions to some of the new places - - Cafe G - on day two they seemed a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and quickly ran out of food, but by now they seem to have got into the swing of things, with lovely service, great coffee, proper hot chocolate and nice looking food. Also they seem to have a lot more custom than their predecessor (can't explain this myself as I liked the old one as much if not more) and not only folks with kids in tow (nothing wrong with that, hasten to add). It does feel a little echoey, and it doesn't ooze character, but I think that's inevitable in a space this big. The gymboree appears to be well divided so it's certainly not like relaxing in a cr?che, which some people were worried about. Will definitely go back, and pop in when strolling past, but I don't think it's a patch on the more intimate likes of Cafe Viva, Lerryn's, Blue Brick, Aneto.. - Hop, Burns and Black - quick confession - I am an absolute craft beer fanatic, so both this place and the next are very much designed to appeal to me. However, there are many places that sell craft beer that I wouldn't feel the need to post about because, well, they're fine but that's it. Hop Burns and Black is a level up - it really is a pretty special place and I hope it's a business success. They sell a great range of beers from all over the UK and world, some lovely looking wines and cider, and some devilish hot sauces, plus an eclectic small selection of vinyl. Their hot (spicy) pork scratchings are both delicious and dangerously hot by the way. They also have a remarkable device for filling a beautiful Hop, Burns and Black glass flagon with a selection of draft/cask beers. You can also drink in with a few seats at the front - you probably wouldn't linger there all evening but with fantastic scotch eggs, wonderful music and the lovely owners there to chat with, it's definitely worth trying an exciting new beer. This really is marvellous. - The Beer Shop, Nunhead - basically a tiny pub/beer shop serving beers from London only, a few nice ciders and some other eclectic drinks, which opened on Evelina on Thursday. Seem like another set of lovely people trying to get a beer-based small business off the ground, with great branding, style and fantastic customer service. Nunhead needs this sort of place, in my view (and clarity on what sort of person I am for those on the forum who really care about social stereotyping), and I hope it succeeds. The idea of this whole area, with the Brick Brewery, Clarkshaws Brewery, Flying Pig, plus beer selections on the East Dulwich Tavern, Montpelier, Four Quarters and elsewhere, becoming a burgeoning craft beer haven fills me with excitement. - Pedler - a lovely new restaurant mentioned above that has soft launched this weekend. They serve delicious food in a stylish setting in a normally pretty uninspiring southern stretch of Rye Lane. This place would be a hit on Lordship Lane or Bellenden Road, no doubt. While the food was really nice, I would say that I don't think it competes with Artusi for value of money (few great quality places do, and I am sure I will be told there are plenty of traditional, longstanding places on Lordship Lane where one can contentedly eat a year's worth of hearty goodness for the price of a starter in this upstart..). We paid half price as it was the soft launch weekend - double what we paid would have ensured this is far more of a rare treat destination for us than a regular haunt, but don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic addition and once they've sorted out teething issues with slow service and the like, they'll be a big hit for many in the area. They also specialise in cocktails, as they are affiliated with a Bermondsey gin brand, so will presumably be a go-to end of the evening place for some. As someone who spends the working week looking forward to a good weekend brunch with a book/papers, I will definitely be back soon to sample their brunch too. A few doors along there will be a coffee shop opening (in the literal sense - they will sell coffee beans roasted to order on site), which also doubles up as a social enterprise working with the homeless. Sounds great and very worthwhile to me. Meanwhile another new venture will be Miss Tapas, replacing Southerden next to Cafe Viva. Their website makes them sound really nice. I also happen to love the new French place on Lordship Lane and look forward to seeing what the new pizza and sushi places have to offer, along with the new Indian eatery being offered on a separate thread and of course Brickhouse Bakery. Always keen to try everywhere (well, everywhere that, if good, does stuff I like) at least once. Quick self identification in the hope of avoiding too much of the inevitable social sidetracking that seems to plague most threads - I fear I'm probably Louisa's idea of hell (this, to be clear, is a tongue in cheek comment) - a thirty something year old who moved from around Clapham Junction to buy in the area for the first time, I originate from outside of London, like occasionally treating to myself to a nice meal/drink as that's what a treat is for me, rather than expensive clothes or whatnot. I don't know why I should feel mildly ashamed of this, but somehow I feel the need to 'out' myself in this way. I do feel the need for an off-topic and mildly hypocritical defence, and I hope I'll be forgiven - I love the area, both the new and the old elements, the occasional edginess of Peckham and the moments of yummy mumminess in East Dulwich, for example. It's the mix that I think makes us lucky to live here and I don't think a few enterprising people starting small businesses, or small chains replacing small chains (see the new pizza place) equates to the end of an era - it seems to me that London's modern era, including this area's, has always been dynamic - changing and evolving, never static or sterile and that's just how it is. Social upheaval, often accelerated by house price booms and bubbles, can be identified across London. That doesn't make it a good thing of course, I just think that new businesses and those of us who happen to have been born at the time when we were and with not unusual or outrageous aspirations of living somewhere nice where we can get to where most jobs are within a convenient amount of time etc, should feel free to welcome new places without worrying about being fingerpointed as being among the four horsemen. Sorry to drift off topic everyone. To return to the theme - all these four places seem to me to be excellent and very welcome additions to our wider area. They are all run by enterprising people who have bravely sought to do something new (except perhaps Cafe G) in their locations with a distinct brand - best of luck to them all!

Great, thanks, will go and have a look

Hop, Burns and Black is replacing the laundromat. Sounds great fun, although I was rather crossing fingers that a bar/restaurant would retain the laundromat name and signage - something catchy about it, I thought. No idea what if anything is replacing Ken's.

Anyone know if it has opened today? I have tried calling to no avail.

James, Out of your specific area, perhaps, but no doubt with some potential with regard to anything from traffic flows to local economy boosting - any initial thoughts on the burgeoning campaign for the Peckham Lido to be resurrected/exhumed? Thanks

On the EAst Dulwich Road parade, the barber is either being replaced or renovated too. As for Nigel Road, yes, the Blue Tit hairdresser came but nothing has followed. As for railway arches and the Sassoon Gallery' that's Peckham Springs - nice enough for a pricey beer/cocktail, although I gather Bar Story has a better range if food. Meanwhile, the Brick Brewery is really superlative and Choumert Road, with Southerden, Cafe Viva and Small White Elephant, has got a great range of quirky, cute caf?s. Peckham Refreshment Rooms has reopened with an extended premises today, and does great food (perhaps more of a treat than a regular haunt - dishes are delicious but not exactly huge and not exactly cheap), while we ate at the relatively new Artusi (reviewed by Jay Rayner, leading to the inevitable impossibility of booking for a few months) this week, and it really was sensationally good. Staying in Peckham (I ow this will already have riled Forumites for straying across the boundary but hey, it's in the subject and all eminently walkable from East Dulwich, assuming no mobility challenges) - agree entirely on Barry's In the arches being worth a visit, if only just to meet the lovely Barry. Finally, Peckahm Bazaar is back open, on a corner in a somewhat eerie residential area. I've heard great things but a booking a fortnight ago coincided with me breaking my ankle so had to postpone. Back in East Dulwich, there are positive noises being made about a new Italian cafe near the station elsewhere on the forum(excluding those who don't frequent caf?s who, despite sitting well outside the target market, still feel emboldened to critique their very existence and the, to my mind brave and admirable, entrepreneurship of those setting them up (sorry, brief gripe over)). Is the Hause of Wood definitely being replaced by a cafe? Even I, an accredited cafe and coffee addict, realises this can all get a bit much.

There's going to be a new place called Hop, Burns and Black on East Dulwich Road near Aneto Cafe and Flying Pig. As above, Cafe G is opening this weekend. There are a few places being done up at the lower end of Rye Lane (in addition to Lerryn's and Four Quarters) - no idea if they will be exciting, but they'll be new for sure. Still a mystery on what's replacing the East Dulwich Deli, as well as what is happening to Crown House opposite Goose Green.