Squatters occupying a site in Fordmill Road had plans to move into the Copperfield following injunction being served for eviction. More rights than a paid up tenant. Real shame was a lovely building.
Had some great nights in there when it was the tavern. Glad it moved to the Constitutional club about 50m down rather than packing up altogrther but was always hoping the building could still be turned into another pub.
yes definitely the railway tavern for me ....i think they call it "jewish lightning " in the insurance business ..personally i never thought it would have a viable longterm future as a pub ..such a shame to see it go like this though
yes definitely the railway tavern for me ....i think they call it "jewish lightning " in the insurance business ..personally i never thought it would have a viable longterm future as a pub ..such a shame to see it go like this though
sorry to hear about the fire Mikey .. shhhh, it's not 'til next week ((:>)
personally i never thought it would have a viable longterm future as a pub
It was thriving under Antic's ownership (just as the Catford Constitutional Club is now), hence it had its status as a building to be used only as a pub protected, although unfortunately that came through just too late in that Tesco had already acquired the freehold and booted out Antic. Tesco were then lumbered with a building that they owned but weren't allowed to turn into yet another of their independent-shop killing Tesco Express stores.
I really think it had all the makings of a success - great location right next to he station, very little competition elsewhere in Catford, a huge housing development being built right behind it and Catford being at the early stages of gentrification, with many of the people who can't afford Forest Hill, Hither Green etc looking at Catford as an alternative. If you can't make a pub work in those circumstances then you never will.
Would Tesco still want it considering their financial situation? They've canned a few other local developments as highlighted on here.
I believe Tesco has subsequently sold it. It was in the process of being refurbished prior to the fire. If you read the following two links it then you get a decent idea of what's happened since Antic were chucked out.
I was in there last year when Antic were running the place, plenty of customers and a good selection of beers/lagers.
They lost the lease and opened at the Catford Constitutional Club, the decor there is nothing write home about, in fact the place looks like a ruin, but plenty of customers around the bar and the restaurant.
I think it proves that pubs can survive if it provides the right product and service.
I've been to a few Antic pubs and they always seem to have plenty of customers.
Not been in yet, but great to see a beautiful old building being used for the purpose it was intended, rather than falling into the hands of developers or supermarkets.
whos the brewery/group? or is it a free house? looks like an antic pub but it's not on their website so it cant be.
After it closed as The Copperfield in 2011, Antic bought it and turned it around. Tesco then obtained the freehold and kicked Antic out with a view to turning it into another totally unnecessary Tesco Express/Metro. Antic moved into the Catford Constitutional Club about 2 minutes walk away and that is now thriving. Tesco were refused permission to "develop" it and a company called Solitaire took it over.
Incidentally, Antic recently closed The Ravensbourne Arms at the end of Lewisham High Street, as they are moving into what used to be The Market Tavern, bang in the middle of Lewisham Town Centre.
whos the brewery/group? or is it a free house? looks like an antic pub but it's not on their website so it cant be.
After it closed as The Copperfield in 2011, Antic bought it and turned it around. Tesco then obtained the freehold and kicked Antic out with a view to turning it into another totally unnecessary Tesco Express/Metro. Antic moved into the Catford Constitutional Club about 2 minutes walk away and that is now thriving. Tesco were refused permission to "develop" it and a company called Solitaire took it over.
Incidentally, Antic recently closed The Ravensbourne Arms at the end of Lewisham High Street, as they are moving into what used to be The Market Tavern, bang in the middle of Lewisham Town Centre.
I saw the other day that it had been closed, and was going to google it once I reached the end of this thread - thanks for saving me a job!
Just read the 853 blog regarding the Ravensbourne Arms closing.
One of the comments below refers to a current planning application for the AntiGallican. Anybody up to speed with this?
31 OCTOBER, 2016 - 5:00 PM The Hebridean Are people aware of planning app 15/2272/F for the AntiGallican on Woolwich Road Charlton? It has been with Greenwich’s Planning Dept for over a year now. The project is for a reduction in facilities plus part conversion to apartments but is it aimed at pub closure?
Comments
More rights than a paid up tenant.
Real shame was a lovely building.
Another slice of our culture goes and hardly anyone cares.
Makes me feel even older as I'm pretty sure it was called the Railway when I first drank in it, 40 something years ago.
I really think it had all the makings of a success - great location right next to he station, very little competition elsewhere in Catford, a huge housing development being built right behind it and Catford being at the early stages of gentrification, with many of the people who can't afford Forest Hill, Hither Green etc looking at Catford as an alternative. If you can't make a pub work in those circumstances then you never will.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jun/26/dilemma-tesco-lose-money-land-rivals
http://brockleycentral.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/the-future-of-catford-bridge-tavern.html
http://www.catfordtavern.com/
They lost the lease and opened at the Catford Constitutional Club, the decor there is nothing write home about, in fact the place looks like a ruin, but plenty of customers around the bar and the restaurant.
I think it proves that pubs can survive if it provides the right product and service.
I've been to a few Antic pubs and they always seem to have plenty of customers.
got torchedmust have caught fire. Mental.Not been in yet, but great to see a beautiful old building being used for the purpose it was intended, rather than falling into the hands of developers or supermarkets.
Don't know anything about them apart from what Google throws up - https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&espv=2&q=solitaire+pubs&oq=solitaire+pu&gs_l=serp.1.3.0l10.864.7312.0.8483.12.10.0.2.2.0.90.652.10.10.0....0...1c.1.64.serp..0.12.659...35i39k1j0i131k1j0i67k1j0i131i67k1.Q0wgoCzgtEs
Incidentally, Antic recently closed The Ravensbourne Arms at the end of Lewisham High Street, as they are moving into what used to be The Market Tavern, bang in the middle of Lewisham Town Centre.
Just read the 853 blog regarding the Ravensbourne Arms closing.
One of the comments below refers to a current planning application for the AntiGallican.
Anybody up to speed with this?
31 OCTOBER, 2016 - 5:00 PM
The Hebridean
Are people aware of planning app 15/2272/F for the AntiGallican on Woolwich Road Charlton? It has been with Greenwich’s Planning Dept for over a year now. The project is for a reduction in facilities plus part conversion to apartments but is it aimed at pub closure?