We had heard that interesting things were going on around Maltby Street and nearby Druid Street in Bermondsey with various food outlets opening up in the railway arches, underneath the railway line into London Bridge. Today was the first time that we have had a chance to get down there to see what's going on. Our impression is that the number of outlets are increasing and that the area is developing quite quickly.
Some of the outlets, like the Monmouth Coffee Company, Neal's Yard and Fern Verrow (55 Stanworth Street) are companies that already have branches in nearby Borough Market. Some others like Tony Booth's L. Booth Mushroom Company (Druid Street) are companies that used to be in Borough but have moved out. I gather that the Borough Market trustees only gave Tony Booth a weekly grace and favour lease, so, once he found different premises, he left.
Equally there are other companies, such as the St John Bakery, that are new to this area of South London. The Bakery opened two days ago and this is believed to be the first time that Trevor Gulliver has opened an enterprise south of the Thames. As well as supplying their restaurants, it will also supply the St John Hotel in 1 Leicester St, London, which is due to open in December. Incidentally the raisin bread we bought here is delicious.
Doubtless Borough Market will continue to draw the crowds, it is more centrally located, has an established reputation and is more compact. There is, however, much that makes the Maltby-Druid area attractive. Firstly there is some of the spirit of the early days of Borough Market when it was first getting established. There is space to move about and shop – you don't have to arrive dead early on a Saturday to avoid the crowds. It is also, at least for the moment, easy to find somewhere to park. It is also a short walk from Bermondsey Tube Station on the Jubilee Line. Unfortunately the Jubilee specialises in weekend closures!
Details of what is happening in Maltby-Druid etc here.
L. Booth's new premises in Druid Street (above and below)
Some of the outlets, like the Monmouth Coffee Company, Neal's Yard and Fern Verrow (55 Stanworth Street) are companies that already have branches in nearby Borough Market. Some others like Tony Booth's L. Booth Mushroom Company (Druid Street) are companies that used to be in Borough but have moved out. I gather that the Borough Market trustees only gave Tony Booth a weekly grace and favour lease, so, once he found different premises, he left.
Equally there are other companies, such as the St John Bakery, that are new to this area of South London. The Bakery opened two days ago and this is believed to be the first time that Trevor Gulliver has opened an enterprise south of the Thames. As well as supplying their restaurants, it will also supply the St John Hotel in 1 Leicester St, London, which is due to open in December. Incidentally the raisin bread we bought here is delicious.
Doubtless Borough Market will continue to draw the crowds, it is more centrally located, has an established reputation and is more compact. There is, however, much that makes the Maltby-Druid area attractive. Firstly there is some of the spirit of the early days of Borough Market when it was first getting established. There is space to move about and shop – you don't have to arrive dead early on a Saturday to avoid the crowds. It is also, at least for the moment, easy to find somewhere to park. It is also a short walk from Bermondsey Tube Station on the Jubilee Line. Unfortunately the Jubilee specialises in weekend closures!
Details of what is happening in Maltby-Druid etc here.
L. Booth's new premises in Druid Street (above and below)
Topolski (Druid Street)
Perry Court Farm – organic meat (Druid Street)
St John Bakery, Druid Street (above and below)
Cakes (Druid Street)
Borough Cheese Company (Stanworth Street)
Fern Verrow (Stanworth Street)
