Pub set to open in Greenwich near Cutty Sark
Plans have been submitted to open a pub at the former Frankie and Benny’s beside Greenwich river pier.
The owner of Trafalgar Tavern and a number of former venues in the town centre is behind the project.
The applicant is listed as Greenwich Pier Lease Limited. A quick look at Companies House shows Frank Dowling listed as being behind the venture.
The pub’s name is also shown as being “Ship Tavern”.
Accompanying documents state “As part of this our client would like to improve the existing outdoor seating arrangement of the building by proposing a new raised platform to the northeastern river facing corner of the building.
This will contain the outdoor seating within the designated seating area and will avoid the spill out of the outdoor seating and customers onto the main thoroughfare obstructing the main pedestrian path towards the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Town Centre”.
Cutty Sark
It’s a prime riverside spot located near the Cutty Sark, neighbouring gardens and the Old Naval College.
Despite that, buildings have struggled to find tenants with chain restaurants coming and going.
Nando’s and Zizzi are currently trading in the western unit.
One company that didn’t last long was Byron burger. Frankie and Benny’s came and went.
The buildings themselves were controversial upon approval and construction given they limited river views from the area.
In terms of footfall they couldn’t be better located, with the river pier alongside. That however never helped many stay in business for long.
Greater use of the roof terrace is proposed: “It is also proposed to erect a glazed pergola in the form of retractable and fixed louvred awnings on the existing roof terrace to improve the existing amenity of the restaurant, and provide a sheltered panoramic view for visitors toward the Thames and the local heritage landmarks”.
The planning application can be viewed by clicking here.
I’m in favour of getting the building back into use but a roof terrace has the potential for a lot of noise.
Bringing the building back in to use is excellent idea. The new pub is well located and as stated in s good location to get footfall from tourist and students from the nearby Greenwich University Campus at the old Royal Naval College.
I agree with Oldfort that the roof terrace has the potential for a lot of noise for local residents. But it is the Management Team and staff responsibility to Manager this. The roof terrace could be closed at 11pm.
* to manage this *
The Gipsy Moth’s beer garden is right against the back gardens of the closest residents to this new pub, so I don’t think noise is an issue. The area is pretty noisy generally so I don’t think this will make much of a difference. Just expect an extreme overuse of bunting and generally pouring out over the pavements like the Traf has done. So many libertites have been taken with that pub, as well as the price of their beer.
Everyone I’ve spoken to loves the abundance of bunting at the Trafalgar, the amazing hanging gardens of Crane St and general riverside buzz there. I really do hope this new venture pours some of that joyous excess over the drab, unimaginative and declining Cutty Sark Gardens. Also might help compensate for the greenhouse they butchered the actual ship with.