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Greenwich news and information

Royal George pub to be converted to flats

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Spitfire Delivery at the Royal George

The Royal George pub in Blissett Street is set to be turned into flats after planning permission was granted by Greenwich Council.

The pub closed its doors recently and the owners, Shepherd Neame, put in an application to have the building converted into two flats.

To illustrate the loss of trade the pub had suffered, Shepherd Neame described in its application how annual beer barrel volume averaged at 120 barrels between 2000 – 2009, whereas it has been as high as 310 barrels between 1977 – 1986.

They also highlighted the affect of the smoking ban, business rates, utility bills and the minimum wage as factors which they say made the pub no longer economically viable.

Six responses from the public were made which all opposed the closure, but permission was granted at last week’s meeting of the Greenwich area planning board.

Jacob Zuma visits Sainsbury’s in Greenwich

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The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, paid a visit to the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Greenwich today.

Zuma, known for his polygamist weddings, is on his first State Visit to the UK after becoming president last year.

It’s reported that Zuma requested the visit himself because of the trading links between Sainsbury’s and his country. He was greeted at the supermarket by Sainsbury’s CEO, Justin King, and shown some of the products that Sainbury’s imports from South Africa, such as wine, apples, grapes and flowers.

Justin King said, “We have strong links with South Africa, so we’re delighted to welcome President and Mrs Zuma to our store in Greenwich.

“We’re proud of what we have achieved at this store. It has acted as a blueprint for many of our subsequent environmental stores, so it is apt that the first state visit to a British supermarket should happen here.”

For an eye witness account and photos of the presidential visit, check out Darryl’s post on 853.

Daily Photo: 04/03/10 – Inside

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Inside

I had an exceptional lunch yesterday at Inside, Greenwich South Street. It’s hard not to be too enthusiastic about this place: excellent food, really good value for money with its lunch time set menus and friendly customer service. No wonder this is many people’s favourite restaurant in Greenwich.

Cutty Sark pub expansion blocked by Council

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Cutty Sark Tavern

A plan to build a three-storey extension to the Cutty Sark pub has been refused by the Planning Board of Greenwich Council.

The proposal by the owners – Morden College – was that a current one-storey extension to the Grade-II listed public house in Ballast Quay be demolished and replaced with a three-storey extension

The council received 12 responses to the planning application – all against the move.  Criticisms included that the proposal would substantially change the nature of the business from a pub to that of a restaurant and that the changes were not in keeping with the character of the building or of the street.

Council officials had recommended that permission be granted but Councillors turned down the application at their meeting on Tuesday night.

Daily Photo: 25/02/10 – Spot the difference

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Controlled Demolition

After receiving a tip off from Twitter that there was to be a controlled demolition at Syral on Tunnel Avenue, I grabbed the camera and headed off down there. I met up with Darryl from 853 at the Boord St foot bridge and waited with bated breath. Unfortunately it wasn’t the large silos that came down, but instead the smaller, blue silo in the middle of the picture above.

The actual moment of demolition caught me off guard although I did fumble my way into taking a couple of pictures of it coming down…

Controlled Demolition

Controlled Demolition

Controlled Demolition

And here’s how the scene looked once the silo was down and the dust had settled. Spot the difference?

Controlled Demolition