Local estate agent Simon Kyriacou who owns Ewemove in Brockley and Lewisham has lived in the area for more than 20 years. He likes Ladywell, knows it well and his two children went to school here – no wonder then that the BBC series Homes under the Hammer contacted him when it wanted a local agent to appear and talk about a property in Algiers Road. (The TV programme will be screened on February 2)
I was born in London and was bought up in the Streatham area. I moved to Brockley just over 20 years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first child, writes Simon Kyriacou.
That’s when we stumbled across Brockley/Ladywell. The houses were relatively cheap and there was a good, ample supply of Victorian and Edwardian houses.
We also heard rumours of the London Underground Bakerloo Line extension to Lewisham.
We couldn’t afford a lot of the houses but did manage to find an ex local authority house in Revelon Road, Brockley, for £140,000.
It was in quite a state and needed a lot of work but it was our chance to get on the property ladder. We never regretted this decision and have stayed in the Brockley/Ladywell area ever since.
My son was also born in Lewisham hospital and both of my kids have fond memories growing up and playing in the local parks whether it was football on Hilly Fields or athletics on Ladywell Fields. And in the summer months there’s always been a host of events and festivals taking place in the parks.
My two children attended primary and secondary schools in the area too. I still live locally in Ladywell. I enjoy walking my dog Milo a black miniature schnauzer on Hilly Fields. I also enjoy the occasional pint in the Ladywell Tavern
I have been working in property for about 20 years – the last three as the owner of Ewemove estate agents covering the local Ladywell and Brockley areas. Over that time there have been a lot of changes in the Lewisham area with the growth of local centres or “villages” like Ladywell, Brockley and Crofton Park with their coffee shops, delis and gastro pubs.
Lewisham town centre is changing rapidly too with a new “love it or hate it”skyline, more retail units and a cinema coming this year.
The area is becoming increasingly popular as more people see the potential and benefits of life in SE13 and SE4. Long may it last!