I thought the purpose of forums was to 'share' information - c'mon, what's happening to The Old Bank?

My understanding is that the new owner does not currently want to publicise their plans too widely, which is why there is limited information available.

Although their plans are great for the short term, in the longer term a use need to be found for the site that is welcoming for all and not publicity shy. This is a prime location on the parade that needs to be utilised as such.

If we can't have a vegetarian restaurant then I vote for a sushi restaurant. There is a serious lack of quality sushi restaurants in Dulwich / West Lewisham. And HOP is the dining capital of South East London!

As said before on this thread - if anyone is interested in finding out more information about the Old Bank site please email.

kerry_adamson@yahoo.co.uk

or saynotodominospizza@gmail.com

How mysterious! I notice the link that was posted has also gone awry. My curiosity is piqued..

Alternatively, do some investigative Googling for the first of those email addresses, and it will eventually lead you to the answer!

Seems like an interesting idea, although I do agree with Michael's thoughts on a longer-term future for the unit - for such a prominent location, it would be good to have a more involved/active (read, less secret) use.

Nonetheless very exciting, and (pretty much) any use is better than a vacant unit.

P.S. First post from a long-time lurker.

Re sushi - I've always enjoyed Sapporo Ichiban in Catford. Dodgy location, but great sushi/sashimi, and very potent plum wine. Perhaps they'd kindly consider opening a second brand...

ugg, I mean branch.

Sushi Smooshi, what it needs to be is a decent pub with a pizza oven at the back serving good thin crust pizza, it's the next big thing I tell thee!!!

Hope the interim venture goes well though, although not so sure about the name if i'm being honest (this is an 'unsure' smiley)

Aha! Interesting but as many others have commented, not exactly a long term venture...

Incidentally, to risk non-SE23 related heresy, New Cross House (in New Cross naturally) does particularly excellent from-a-pizza-oven-in-the-back pizza... Only a couple of stops on the overground! Has a lovely beer garden/barn too..

Have you been to the Question Bar in the last few years? Pretty good pizza in a pub, made fresh in front of thou.

wouldn't go to a pub in new cross if you paid me!

About a year ago the guy from the Palmerston looked at the Old Bank and wanted to turn it into a Thai Restaurant. There were a few discussions but the rent demanded was too high so he went elsewhere... to Bellenden Road and the result is The Begging Bowl which opened last week. It's going down a storm apparently. I'm very pleased for them but disappointed for the residents of Honor Oak

http://www.thebeggingbowl.co.uk/

Yes it is a great spot - sad that HOP rents too high.

That's a real shame - we could do with a good Thai restaurant round here.

We went out a couple of Fridays ago with family members we had staying - we had to wait for seats at the tapas bar (which has enjoyed someting of a renaissance recently). With Babur and Le Querce usually being full, HOP could easily, I think, support another restaurant.

(Tapas bar has been lovely the last few times we've been).

Love the Tapas place!

Thats good to hear - Our Tapas joint has seen a few changes over the years but it is looking v good now, a well deserved renaissance for them I think. I agree that HOP could do with another restaurant. There was a thai / chinese style restaurant on Brockley Rise, near Le Querce but that is being turned into a Chiropractor practice!!

Sorry to see that the Tai Wu on Brockley Rise has closed. We used to go there quite regularly when we lived nearby and Stephen is very nice. Hope it was his choice to close rather than economic downturn. Would rather another restaurant than a chiropractor - whatever that might be!

The change of use for Tai Wu was approved last month. See http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/LEWIS-XSL...key=66300.

I've no idea if this is a new tenant or the previous tenant trying something else.

Yes, it was very good. Always a bit quiet though, sadly.

Yes, I'm another one sorry to see Tai Wu go. We used to eat or get takeaways from there fairly often - the food was very good and the owner a nice chap.