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Chopstix Putney High Street

Yet another faceless chain is moving into Putney High Street.  Chopstix has taken the lease on the former VPZ site that was next to Santander.  I know that the High Street is in need of a major rethink but filling the whole High Street with food outlets is not going to solve the issue. We need an eclectic mix of establishments in order to give people reasons to come to the High Street and stay for the day.However they are now here if they get planning permission to operate out of the site.  I would urge everyone to get there Pan-Asian food from the wonderful Kokoro, Thai Square and Pinto Thai that are long established independent operators in Putney and deserve our support like every independent trader.  If people vote with there feet they will go as quickly as they come.

Nick Austin ● 1069d16 Comments

Caroline, the Star and Garter news sounds exciting. Do you know if this is likely to happen? The building is beautiful and would be perfect location and venue for a classy restaurant.

Lauren Fleet ● 1066d

If the plans for the revamped Star and Garter Hotel come to fruition we may well get a first class restaurant by the river.

Caroline Whitehead ● 1067d

So are Labour continuing with the nighttime economy policy in PHS, you are obviously well informed

Penelope Becker ● 1067d

Chopstix serves a purpose. The one in South Kensington thrives on on-the-move people who want a tasty bite at a low price. Putney will never get a "proper" restaurant until the area's overall business environment is enhanced, producing well-paid clients with the resources (and the time) to indulge in "proper" meals (especially lunches). Until then, the future is food on the hoof.

Alexander MacLeod ● 1067d

And now the new night-time economy joints arrogantly take over almost the complete footpath with queue barriers and a couple of so-called "security" forcing people off the footpath into traffic.If their business model depends on this they should be refused a licence.

Timothy Horgan ● 1067d

Chopsticks in Hammersmith and South Kensington are open from 11-8. It may well not add any culinary excitement to PHS but hardly contributing to the problems of a nighttime economy.

Jane Carter ● 1068d

It is my belief that the extended nighttime economy proposals lost the Conservative council, it looks as though Labour are making the same mistake...

Penelope Becker ● 1068d

The restaurants in Putney that I thought were independent are Ma Goa, Kashmiri, Yum Sa, Beyzade (I believe no longer part of the Turkish chain that set it up). I think there may also be one or two Italian ones but I've lost track over the past couple of years with closures and pop ups. Thai Square has 15 branches, the first one in the Strand, so it's not particularly local although it seems to be privately owned so is independent in that it's not owned by one of the conglomerates.I guess the market drives what retail outlets are needed and survive?

Michael Ixer ● 1068d

Oh no! One would hope for something a bit special if it's going to be just food outlets. We're very excited (not) about Thunderbird Chicken which is going where the old Subway was, near the top of the High St.I guess you just have to accept whoever wants to open a businesses if you want premises occupied.

Victoria Diamond ● 1068d

Kokoro have over 50 branches according to their web site.https://www.kokorouk.com/branches/

Ed Robinson ● 1069d

I may be wrong on Thai Square I did think that it was just a single restaurant. But another food outlet on the High Street gives no reason for anyone to come to the High Street in the day.  Shops like Morrows, Huttons and The Pet Pavilion which are desperate for our support (yes is do shop in all of them) don't get the footfall as everyone just come out to grab some food.  I don't have the answers, if I did I am sure Positively Putney and the Council would be banging my door down to solve it for them.  Just seems a real shame that the shopping element of Putney is just been chipped away at constantly.

Nick Austin ● 1069d

Nick A. - I’m not sure that Thai Square can really be classed as an independent. It has 15 restaurants in London and the South East. Chopstix, for comparison, has over 80 locations in the UK. Both chains seem to have sole ownership. I wonder if anyone can provide a definition of “independent”. I must admit that making every high street exactly the same does not appeal, and restaurants with a single family running it or a chef/owner which are unique to a specific location seem more “independent” to me.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1069d

You sell it so well,😁 one wonders why its not thriving??

Andy Pike ● 1069d

Sadly I agree Matt. Idling traffic by day, vomit on the pavements at night 😂

Maxine Campbell ● 1069d

"come to the High Street and stay for the day"sounds great but currently the air pollution is a health hazard, staying for the day sounds unwise!

Matt Palmer ● 1069d

Part of the plan to extend the nighttime economy

Penelope Becker ● 1069d