Empty units Shad Thames

Does anybody know what is happening with the empty units down Shad Thames the old Italian Valentina and the Indian restaurant have been empty for ages and now the watchhouse has moved that unit is empty also.

More than likely to stay empty... If there was any demand, the other restaurants would have been taken. The effects of Brexit are being felt in the area, slowly. Wouldnt also be shocked to see Browns go at some point. Dont see how the breakeven, and other restaurants such as Ask, which is virtually always empty outside of summer and Friday.

Browns in Shad Thames is dreadful, I'm amazed they're still trading.

Valentina used to be Zizzi's- if a chain can't make that space work then an independent had no chance.

I was very sad to see the Clipper go.

crosma wrote:

More than likely to stay empty... If there was any demand, the other restaurants would have been taken. The effects of Brexit are being felt in the area, slowly. Wouldnt also be shocked to see Browns go at some point. Dont see how the breakeven, and other restaurants such as Ask, which is virtually always empty outside of summer and Friday.

Or rather than Brexit, could it be that the One Tower Bridge alternatives have taken the custom, saturation point having been reached?

SERES wrote:

crosma wrote:

More than likely to stay empty... If there was any demand, the other restaurants would have been taken. The effects of Brexit are being felt in the area, slowly. Wouldnt also be shocked to see Browns go at some point. Dont see how the breakeven, and other restaurants such as Ask, which is virtually always empty outside of summer and Friday.

Or rather than Brexit, could it be that the One Tower Bridge alternatives have taken the custom, saturation point having been reached?

Valid counter point you make.. Whats needed is something new and innovative, like the Watchhouse. The days of the chain, as illustrated by Jamies Italian are slowly also dying. I believe even Pizza Express is a billion pounds in debt.. Its a shame, that a lot of the good restaurants have gone. I remember the days of Tentazioni and Mill Street Cafe, both excellent restaurants, as ws the Clipper in its day, but became stagnant, as demonstrated by its decor never been updated post 2003.

I think The Watch House proves that the right restaurant done correctly can strive in shad thames as it’s constantly packed even more so now it’s in a bigger space.

It’s just a shame to see empty units go empty for so long.

Agree Billy.. I know its a bit left field but maybe someone could also become adventurous and turn the Design Museum into a small cinema or something like that.

Just announced an independent Italian restaurant will be taking over the spot of the old watchhouse called Legare It has some really promising people behind it. Good news for Shad thames I believe

crosma wrote:

Agree Billy.. I know its a bit left field but maybe someone could also become adventurous and turn the Design Museum into a small cinema or something like that.

What a fabulous idea. That'd be so good. Especially if it had a good cafe too.

Went into the new Watch House and was really disappointed. It now has a canteen atmosphere and the food isn't as good. Spoke to one of the staff who said they could only cook a limited amount fresh and were reheating much of the menu because of planning problems. While their old haunt was crowded, staying small may have been best.