Sarto Lounge opens in Sidcup as chain expands nationwide

Sarto Lounge has opened in Sidcup at the former Iceland site on the High Street.

For those unaware it’s a rapidly expanding nationwide chain. If you’ve visited many UK cities in the recent past you may have seen one – though this is one of the first within London.

I once moved into a place a few doors down from one of the very first in Bristol. This is going back about 20 years. Even then you could tell they were on to a winner.

It was an enticing place that clearly appealed to a wide spectrum from new parents meeting for brunch, older folks out for lunch, students having a coffee and just about everyone else. It opened from pretty early in the morning, served a lunch menu with good offers and in the evening would sell cocktails alongside decent beers and a place for friends to meet up.

Ticking many boxes they expanded across the local area and in recent years have really taken off across the country. Expect a fair few more across London in years to come.

Lounge history

The Sarto Lounge name was chosen by the nationwide chain as a nod to the building’s history as a former Burton menswear shop. Sarto means tailor in Italian.

Burton’s built some wonderful shops across the UK. One in Woolwich has recently been revamped as part of a heritage scheme.

The Sidcup site was an Iceland for many years until closing around 2023 if memory serves.

It joins other recently completed places such as a new cinema nearby as well as Soul Town London bar in the former Prezzo.

Like many High Streets in an era of online shopping it’s evolve or die. Sidcup seems to be doing a decent job of evolving.

New housing nearby will also help bring in the punters and sustain business.

By the way the main photograph is from @tuppenceforthem aka Penny Duggan who runs the website Blackfen Past and Present.

She’s also written excellent books about Blackfen’s history.