Lewisham to see new Waterstones book store as Pret opens

A number of new businesses will open across Lewisham in coming months with the latest announcement being a Waterstones book store.

A big thanks to a reader who contacted me with the news after the company announced new stores in London.

The store is set to open before Christmas. No exact location has been revealed and the company have been contacted for more information.

Meanwhile a Pret has opened near the station. Some have already stated “gentrification” which I often find a tad odd about Pret as they’re the cheapest place to get a coffee just about anywhere and are ten a penny across the country.

They’ll do a 99p coffee (or 49p if you bring a cup) which is cheaper than Costa or Starbucks, cheaper than an Asda self serve machine or a McDonalds and less than a Wetherspoons (free refills there granted).

I guess if you want a pint of milky silliness they’ll be a bit more but for a filter coffee you can’t really complain.

It brings to mind the long asked question of just what is gentrification? If it’s unaffordable housing for many then that’s every inch of London and beyond now. A coffee place doing a 99p filter is the least of far wider and deeper structural problems.

Anyway, back to new shops. The completion of Lewisham Gateway’s next phase will also see a Sainsbury’s supermarket. A number of other units are on the way though confirmation of all hasn’t been announced. I’ll be keeping tabs on the Lewisham Council planning website.

Running a site alone takes time and a fair bit of money. Adverts are far from enough to cover it and my living costs as a private renter.