Lewisham bar closes for good after leaks at another new build block
Lewisham wine bar Vinothec has closed for good partly blaming defects and problems within a tower building located beside the station.
Vinothec bar was located in Lewisham Gateway’s first phase (seen on the left in the above image) and not the second, which recently saw a separate catastrophic flood resulting in all residents needing to leave.
Vinothec stated: “Vinothec Social is saddened to announce its permanent closure.
“This difficult decision became unavoidable due to a series of significant challenges.
“These include ongoing severe water leaks out of our control and fundamental defects within the building, making it impossible to obtain the insurance required to operate safely and legally. Additionally, rising energy costs and increasing operational expenses made it unfeasible to continue.
“All possible avenues to overcome these issues were meticulously explored including rebuilding attempts that were undone by further water leaks. Ultimately now continuing the business is no longer sustainable.
“The deepest gratitude is extended for your unwavering support and patronage over the years. It has been a privilege to be a part of the community and serve to you.
“Thank you for everything.”
Major issues
This news again raises questions about the entire Lewisham Gateway project. To have flaws in one building is bad. To have it across the whole development suggests something is seriously wrong.
The project was developed by Muse who state:
“We’ve worked closely with the London Borough of Lewisham, Homes England, the Mayor of London, Transport for London, the local community, Get Living, and Balfour Beatty our construction partner amongst many others to make our vision at Lewisham a reality.”
As it is, despite a number of blocks built in recent years almost none of the planned commercial spaces are open and any hundreds of flats sit empty. No cinema, no supermarkets, no indoor climbing centre nor bars and restaurants.
I don’t think I knew the location of that bar, but I could have gone past without noticing it. As I walked up Station Road this week, I noticed that a Korean supermarket was being outfitted. I will join Pret a Mange as the only retail units in the development. The Gateway scheme has turned out to be a wasted opportunity and surely a millstone around the necks of the various stakeholders.
It was between pret and the new supermarket- was open and seemed successful prior to the floodings. Sad to see another much needed bar unable to continue
It was all a front, the bar owners liquidated the company two years ago, and the flood narrative was simply a cover. Furthermore, the Gateway scheme was delivered in two phases, with separate contractors appointed for each. Vinothec was located in the building constructed during Phase One, so it is unclear how flooding in Phase Two could have affected any buildings completed in Phase One.
This is a absolutely correct.
Would be good to get an update on flooding to the Phase 2 buildings – and the council’s much promoted new access route to station from shopping centre that is now blocked off as it goes through the private development.