Eric Smith''''s Greengrocer''''s 21 Lordship Lane SE22

Lordship Lane c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

My Dad, Eric Smith, opened a Greengrocer's shop at number 21 Lordship Lane in 1962. At that time there was a traditional butchers shop one side and a grocery shop the other side. Opposite was a piano shop, and that's about all I can remember. This photo is of the other end of the road, and on the right hand side was a motorcycle shop, which is sadly now flats. The pub on the left hand corner - the Grove Tavern, was frequented by myself and friends circa 1978, and still exists today, albeit as a family type pub, serving food.
My brother took over the greengrocer's shop in the mid eighties as my Dad suffered a stroke. He sold the business a couple of years ago, and it's now a wine bar called The Black Cherry - I'm sure my Dad would have been pleased with that, as he loved red wine and made some himself!
My biggest memory of my Dad's shop was working there in the seventies on Saturdays and  School holidays - I met a few local celebrities - Francis Rossi from Status Quo being one - I was 15 and a fan of his group, so had quite alot to say to him! Nobody believed me until he drove past me and a friend when we were on the way home from School and blared his horn at me!