Oldest business on Lordship Lane

[ed_pete]

I was wondering what the oldest business is on Lordship Lane that is still operating under the same ownership.  My guess is AJ Farmer, established in 1964. Anything older ? I'm excluding the pubs which will have been around a lot longer but no doubt gone through several different owners.

[OutOfFocus]

How many generations of Farmers have there been

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

The oldest business still operating in East Dulwich SE22 is The Plough, located at 381 Lordship Lane. Established in 1791, it has been serving the community continuously since then. The original building was replaced in 1858 by the current structure.

 

Another longstanding establishment is Bells, The Dulwich Kitchen & Bathroom Company, an independent business run by the Bell family since 1919. It is considered one of the oldest businesses on Lordship Lane.

Additionally, Dulwich Public Baths, located at 2b Crystal Palace Road, opened on 25 June 1892. It is London’s oldest public baths to have remained in continuous operation.

 

These establishments have been integral parts of the East Dulwich community for over a century.

[ed_pete]

Ah Bells, yup forgot about them.  Wonder if it's still in the same hands since 1919.

[OutOfFocus]

3 hours ago, Dulwich Born And Bred said:

The Plough, located at 381 Lordship Lane.

But it went through a phase of being Goose and Granite which was i recall given by a pubco.

[Sue]

3 hours ago, Dulwich Born And Bred said:

The oldest business still operating in East Dulwich SE22 is The Plough, located at 381 Lordship Lane. Established in 1791, it has been serving the community continuously since then. The original building was replaced in 1858 by the current structure.

 

Another longstanding establishment is Bells, The Dulwich Kitchen & Bathroom Company, an independent business run by the Bell family since 1919. It is considered one of the oldest businesses on Lordship Lane.

Additionally, Dulwich Public Baths, located at 2b Crystal Palace Road, opened on 25 June 1892. It is London’s oldest public baths to have remained in continuous operation.

 

These establishments have been integral parts of the East Dulwich community for over a century.

I don't think the baths have been "in continuous operation"?

They were closed for renovation. I can't remember exactly when, but I remember some "discussion" on here because the pool  could/should have been made longer and/or deeper, and wasn't.

Itv certainly has a relatively shallow deep end, and it's a pity that people can't dive 

[Spartacus]

Surely it has to be "the knocking shop" (1860s slang) as it is the oldest profession around 😅

It always surprised me that one used to operate on Bawdale Road, just around the corner from the old police station (so I've been told 🤭) 

Edited Saturday at 19:25 by Spartacus

[ed_pete]

On 08/02/2025 at 19:25, Spartacus said:

Surely it has to be "the knocking shop" (1860s slang) as it is the oldest profession around 😅

It always surprised me that one used to operate on Bawdale Road, just around the corner from the old police station (so I've been told 🤭) 

Yes but is it (a) still going and (b) run by the same family ? 🫢

[Sephiroth]

On 08/02/2025 at 18:46, OutOfFocus said:

But it went through a phase of being Goose and Granite which was i recall given by a pubco.

Still same pub co 

Mitchell and butler  (harvester, all bar one, toby carvery)

 

they also have pubs in Herne hill and Dulwich village 

 

usually terrible food 

[malumbu]

There used to be a brothel opposite the Crystal Palace Tavern.

Apparently 

I'm led to believe.

A person in the street told me

I think the LTN stopped drive past business 

[Pugwash]

Many years ago whilst a male friend was canvassing during election time, he knocked on a door in Crystal Palace Road. Was greeted by a lady in glamorous (according to him) nightwear  who offered her services in exchange for voting for a particular candidate!  Our friend, who must have been in his 60s at that point , politely declined. We all had a good laugh over this and every time people went canvassing for years afterwards, they were regaled with this story.