Welcome to Gently – a gift shop, card shop, kids’ shop, bookshop as well as beauty and homeware!
It’s opening on Saturday June 8 on Ladywell high street in the old Honeybourne’s shop sold by Hannah just a few weeks ago.
Helen Sheward, husband Harry and two children Ollie and Kitty, who live in Brockley, have been hard at work decorating the shop.
Helen and Harry also own Gently Elephant, well known in Brockley, and Gently in Crofton Park.
“ It goes without saying we are very excited to be opening in Ladywell Village. Let’s say we’ll be opening the doors next Saturday morning (June 8) … and to be safe about 9.30am,” says Helen.
Hannah sold Honeybourne’s earlier this year. She had run the shop for three and a half years but was keen to take up a new challenge as a trade union organiser with the TSSA.
The shop at 46 Ladywell Road was opened by Jason (remember him) as a gift shop six years ago.
Before that it was NightWatch, at the time one of Ladywell’s infamous empty properties. The unit was left vacant for well over a decade.
The high street has seen a lot of activity in recent weeks. Heckstall & Smith, the butchers shop, was sold to Jon Toy, a butcher from Twickenham.
The fish and chip shop is currently being refurbished and is expected to open soon under the new name of Catch Inn.
The new owner also runs the Village Fish Bar in Blackheath.
We hope all this activity is a good sign that Ladywell’s high street will continue to thrive in the years ahead despite all the challenges many cafe and shopowners face.