What DO we want on Northcote Road - part 2: 2020 - current Post Reply

[BFW]

Just noticed that GBK has now also gone.

So many empty sites walking down northcote road this morning...

[Beketaten]

The Argos store on St John's Road won't be reopening after lockdown, one of the 420 branches closing. 

[Moimza]

If what you say is true re the estate agents perhaps they could be encouraged to show a bit of imagination and encourage more diversity of shops to the area eg by sharing their premises with another business? It may work to their advantage..

[Tiggy]

There is also a pizza express on Abbeville Road. It seems to do very well!

[Beketaten]

The French bakery Oree is opening soon at 28 Northcote Road, next to All Bar One. 

[Jonny Dyson Property Consultants]

Evening all,

As the planning rules for shops have recently changed we are seeing a big increase in the number of shops getting change of use to restaurants/delis/bakeries etc. The left hand side of White Stuff is going to be a vegan deli/cafe/restaurant, and the right hand shop currently has a planning application for 'Pizzicheria Grappelli' which looks like it's an Italian deli/pizza place. Arlo's has also been re-let as a restaurant. Nothing against any of these guys, but still more of the same.

As such I find myself conflicted, on one side of course we don't want empty shops, as much for the landlords as for the overall 'feel' of the street, but as a resident it saddens me to see so many hospitality businesses taking over Northcote Road.  We are not in Soho, and if we simply become a street of Pizza, burger, or takeaway businesses then we really do lose the heart of Northcote Road as a mixed and balanced blend of all sorts of retail.

Not sure where I'm going with this, but food (pun entirely intended!) for thought?

Jonny

[Starr]

Yesterday I overheard some residents talking about seeing large rats which they'd never seen before ☹
After bagging up left food rubbish on their doorstep.
I do wish people buying food to consume outdoors clear up after themselves.

[Beketaten]

Not Northcote Road, but there's a new Korean restaurant opening on Lavender Hill in the old Ginger Kiss site. https://yoriuk.com/ They already have branches in Wimbledon and central London. Good to have a different cuisine to choose from.

[dudette]

Evening all,

As the planning rules for shops have recently changed we are seeing a big increase in the number of shops getting change of use to restaurants/delis/bakeries etc. The left hand side of White Stuff is going to be a vegan deli/cafe/restaurant, and the right hand shop currently has a planning application for 'Pizzicheria Grappelli' which looks like it's an Italian deli/pizza place. Arlo's has also been re-let as a restaurant. Nothing against any of these guys, but still more of the same.

As such I find myself conflicted, on one side of course we don't want empty shops, as much for the landlords as for the overall 'feel' of the street, but as a resident it saddens me to see so many hospitality businesses taking over Northcote Road.  We are not in Soho, and if we simply become a street of Pizza, burger, or takeaway businesses then we really do lose the heart of Northcote Road as a mixed and balanced blend of all sorts of retail.

Not sure where I'm going with this, but food (pun entirely intended!) for thought?

Jonny

I think we just have to acknowledge that retail is changing for good. Lockdown has just accelerated the pace at which we buy online rather than in physical shops. Personally I think the restaurants on Northcote Road are pretty awful (we still all mourn the passing of Rosita) so I hope some of the new ones are an improvement. Restaurants give a place a buzzy atmosphere and encourage people to come into the area. The road has changed over the years anyway as the hike in rents has driven out the very businesses that made the road what it is in the first place. Estate agents are far worse for taking away the character of an area - I'd rather restaurants than them any day. 

[boonkoh]

Unfortunately that is the trend now for High Streets.... Fashion/Retail stores are shutting down because they can't make it work. Even Debenhams is now gone.

And there is only going to be increased demand for restaurants and takeaways and delis. With the increased work from home situation, even post-COVID, all those home based workers will want to have something to eat for lunch, or go somewhere for dinner and drinks. Previously these would all be in Zone 1, near offices, but now will be in suburbs.

[Jonny Dyson Property Consultants]

Both excellent points from Dudette and Boonkoh, and I guess you're right to say that retail is probably on the wane.  I also completely agree on the estate agent comment which is why I took my business off the high street a year ago - people want you to be local, however all the high street shop provides is a (very) expensive billboard at a time when most people start their search online - I just can't see the high street model (as opposed to a local serviced office) surviving for much longer.

Back to the restaurants though, I just wish that there was something a little more interesting.  No offense to the existing places, but how many pizza / burger / bakeries and coffee shops do we need before we reach total saturation point?  Rosita was great, and the Persian place that replaced it was lovely, but come on, surely we can do better!! That being said, I hear good things about Kibou, and the new Vegan place looks hopeful next to the Old Bank.

[Kirstie’s Mom]

Couldn’t agree more but given that the only viable shops over the last 13 months are those that can do take out food and drink ,not sure what can be done . I’m still waiting for a really good Deli like Ottolenghi .

[Starr]

Yes! would love an Ottolenghi. I worked in the first one in Westbourne Grove for a bit after finishing university. Yotam was so nice and friendly and so very talented. I am not surprised he has expanded and become so famous since.

I agree with the boredom with pizza and burgers.

The other restaurant was not really Persian either.

I tend to go to Northcote rd for shopping rather than eating. I like the cook shop and the road is a handy place for buying gifts and cards and children's shoes. I also like the fresh fish stall.

I still don't know who is really shopping at the high end children's clothes shops. It's a wealthy area but not Knightsbridge.

[Starr]

Good point about business rates.
Tooting has lately had a restaurant with a Michelin mention which just goes to show how talented independents can thrive of they could afford to in the area.

[Beketaten]

There's a branch of burrito/taco/salad place Chipotle soon to open at the old GBK site on Northcote Road. Pretty similar to Tortilla by the station really.