Foxtons Have Landed in Streatham
After years of sitting derelict on the High Road, the former Jack Stamps pub has opened its doors to the builders. It is currently in the process of being refurbished. It won’t, however, be a pub any longer. In a sure sign that Streatham is changing, a pub, will become an estate agents. Not just any estate agents either, a Foxtons estate agents.
A branch of Foxtons is possibly the most potent symbol of an areas gentrification. Of the other big high street firms, only Starbucks can compare. Streatham doesn’t have a Starbucks yet, but, it’s arrival is surely not far away. Brixton is about to get one, so the unstoppable Starbucks march is definitely heading in our direction.
For now though, it is the estate agents who are leading the charge. Not only is Foxtons soon to open, but Jackson’s have taken over the old Bushells site, which they vacated shortly after the housing crash. This is a sure sign that the housing market is improving and with it the fortunes of Streatham. But, whilst Jack Stamps was never a very highly regarded pub, this is not going to be a change that everyone is happy with.
Blackheath are also soon to get a branch and it has attracted plenty of debate and opposition.
There’s a good article in The Times about Foxtons and the effect it has on an area here.
So how do you all feel about Foxtons arrival? Join the discussion on the forum now.
As long as they don’t park those wretched minis all over the place! The Bushells crowd were inconsiderate twunts who had no regard for the neighbourhood. Hope Jacksons and Foxtons make sure the top end of Mount Ephraim Rd is kept clean as Hooper and Jackson make no effort whatsoever, quite happy to sell property whilst overlooking all the crap dumped at the top of the road.
At least it’s not a pub anymore – enough drunks wandering about as it is!
Are you absolutely sure it is Foxton’s who are moving in? Foxton’s obtained planning permission three years ago for a change in use from a pub to an estate agency, but then did nothing with it for three years – presumably because of the slump in the housing market. I was told the premises are being refurbished for some other kind of office use.
Whilst Foxtons may have been a sign of regeneration pre credit crunch I’m highly skeptical about what it means now. Maybe they want to conquer the Streatham market just like they have with the Balham & Dulwich markets.
Basically we’re still a long way away from credible regeneration, we need the empty shop fronts & pot holed roads seen to first.
Yes Pedro, it is definitely Foxtons that are moving in. The picture comes from the planning documents which have been updated very recently. I was also told by the builder who’s fitting the place out.
Anything is better than nothing. Streatham has shockingly gone to the dogs in the last few years. Known to north londoners as the asshole of London and I’m not surprised. Everything decent has closed down. As long as it’s not going to be another freakin lardy chav chicken shop overpriced tat budget bargain shop or
flippin African weave / wig bleedin syrup shop I will be happy. If foxtons can encourage the balham / clapham spill over to buy in streatham and raise the tone shops & general vibe of the area – then bring it on.
Who wants the BalHAM CLAM spill over, and it doesn’t need encouraging. Gentrification means nulification! The “tone” can be raised without encouraging the already well to do to well out do others and deprive them of an area that they have lived in for along time. We dont need all of the children of of Southern England totally encroaching on all of London. (That’s the only reason certain inhabitants of Clapham and Balham choose to live in that part of London anyway so they can go home at the weekends to their Mummies and Daddies). Change and improvement can happen without the method suggested or another flipping estate agent. I’m a north londoner and I know what i prefer – and asshole OF London as opposed to a asshole IN london (and there are plenty in Clapham and Balham). Let Streatham sort itself out without a ridicuous Estate Agents. And let it be accessible to all.
Great post Monkey. To some, Gentrification only comes in the form of Estate Agents, Surging House Prices, Deli’s & Chic Coffee Shops. To others Gentrifications comes in the form of improving amenities like a Library that is not falling apart, an operating Leisure Centre, an operating Ice Rink, Better quality state schools & roads that are not pot holed.
Before Streatham can really begin to gentrify it needs it’s infrastructure completely re-designed. No central point in the high road means no central focus for shoppers to use the local amenities.
Adding Foxtons & any other chic establishment will not regenerate Streatham IMHO, it needs to get the basics right first.
Seems like they will be selling houses for free as well…
http://blog.thebigpropertylist.co.uk/foxtons-selling-houses-for-0-commission-in-sw-london
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