Vandalism of French Bistro

Great Restaurant and food vendor was broken into yesterday. Windows smashed etc

Police are calling for information that might help

My other half knows the ladies and they have have had a hard time. This is just dreadful. What selfish Cambridge University Netball Team players!

Just phoned my other half, Caroline in floods of tears and Anita devastated.

@Cazimo Thanks Caz, it gets it across but is not understood by younger viewers

See you next Tuesday is another way to put it. As in C U Next Tuesday. @Londondrz @Cazimo although I do like John’s version.

Really sad this has happened to them again as they’re really nice people

Anything we can do to support them?

I believe someone has offered to repair the windows which is fantastic. It has also been removed. Some people are just sick b’stards.

Unless they’ve been to the City University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Sorry. V rude.

Once in a dispute at the school I work in, I formed the Council for Unified Non Teaching Staff - didn’t go down well.

They would like to thank everyone for the support & like your comment @Londondrz

Maybe we could help by finding someone to move the van, possibly storing it for them if needed for free.

And if anyone could lend a cover, that sounds like it might be very helpful too.

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@Pauline I understand the van has been moved already.

Possibly, that discussion was about 2 hours ago.

Stuff like this makes me so angry because it could quite easily wipe out a small local independent business that contributes to the communities & beyond

It really makes me angry & hope the “Competent Under Nineties Trust” gets found & put away!

Statement from La Petite Bouchee:

http://lapetitebouchee.me/statement-la-petite-bouchee/

The aftermath of these attacks is heartbreaking to read.

Running a small business means putting yourself out there and being vulnerable to the whims of the government, the public, press, and spiteful competitors. The latter is the worst. It’s a horrible feeling, to put huge energy and time into a fledgling business and to know someone else is actively trying to destroy it.

If there’s any silver lining, it may be that the press coverage of these incidents will cement La Petite Bouchee into peoples’ minds, and their next ventures will be well supported as a result.

Offered them some free IT work - not that they probably need it but you never know…

lapetiteboucheecafe@gmail.com

I hope the police catch these sick bastards. Lynching anyone?

Obviously not a real lynching, the snowflake generation would have a moment.

Caroline & Anita need to borrow a large tarpaulin for a few days, has anyone got one they could lend?

Wish we could help - just walked past to see it boarded up. Terrible, really hope they are caught.

Will have a dig in the shed tomorrow morning. I think I have one.

They’ve got some now!

She couldn’t be moved in the end today as the pick up truck broke down, but will go ta a safe place tomorrow.

Fingers crossed all is well tonight

@AllInnOne lent a tarpaulin & @FHGinClub offered to lend some too, they popped in this morning to thank us for the FH support,

The van was due to be moved to a safe place at 11.30, so hopefully she’s on her way now, and they hope to be back up and running again in January. But this won’t be in Wells Park. So any suggestions & I’ll pass them on…

Caroline & Anita-Claire

I have focussed on this specific part of your quote because, unless there’s some strong evidence that points to a competitor, I’d put this down to mindless vandalism (and I stress MIND-LESS!).

My heart goes out to you and I wanted to give you my perspective because I hope it will be easier for you to cope with if you could rule out any motive for what has happened. Obviously, it doesn’t take away the considerable annoyance, inconvenience and cost elements but to know that this was probably done as a senseless act by brainless youths, to me, would help in planning for the future and getting the business up-and-running again.

By the way, my friend specialises in restoring these vans so please let me know if you need any parts for yours.

Best wishes
John

Count me in - but there only appears to be room for four in the van !

I’d be up for it too

I wish I had discovered this little van before their troubles. I have looked at their recipes on their website and they sound so tasty that I am determined to make as many of them as I can. This weekend I think its going to be tartiflette. It looks like the sort of healthy eating I should be doing to help me in my goal of losing a pound or two - sigh !

http://lapetitebouchee.me/tartiflette

Wine is made from grapes, another of your five a day.

Of course, its all making much more sense now. I am beginning to see things in a new light thanks to you guys. Cheers (hic) !

Vodka can be made from potatoes etc

You guys better head down to the next @FHGinClub this Friday, I think you’ll like it

We are nearly fully booked now so may end up being standing room only.

I love this forum, in just one week I have learned of le petite bouche ( wounded but soon to recover I hope) and now the FHgin club ( which appears to be alive and well and so far un-vandalised). Perhaps we could all co-incide a se23.life meet up when the gin club next convenes - how good would that be !

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Anotherjohn that, unless there is strong evidence that the vandalism is the work of a competitor, this could be a disgraceful act on the part of mindless thugs - not of course that that would be any consolation.
To take it one step further, and this is no way meant to detract from the well earned and thoroughly deserved award, the accusation that this vandalism could be the act of a competitor could possibly cause competitors some upset, particularly as there were relatively few nominations for that area and in that category.

Sign up to our mailing list so you always know what’s going on. We won’t spam you.

I’ve just authorised it, should be there now.

That is awesome news. @AllInnOne are superstars!

http://lapetitebouchee.me/big-news-back-january-2017/

I’ve lived here for years and never been to the All Inn One. I have no idea why really.

What’s it like? Doesn’t give too much away on their site?

To my mind, it’s the best pub in Forest Hill. I called there some years ago because it was on my route home and I had seen favourable mentions on another forum.

RI chard and Julia, the owners, bought the pub from their pubco many years ago. Both are qualified caterers, Richard a qualified chef, who does the cooking.

Their Sunday roasts are secondto none. Essential to book. Completely unpretentious , lovely people as witness to their offer to help la petite bouchee.

Disabled and family friendly, lovely atmosphere,
many regulars. Excellent, highly competitively priced - certainly no trying to get away with City prices here- food and drink.

They also have luxurious newly refurbished accommodation.

I have no commercial links with All Inn One, to be clear, but like so many others whom I have met in the pub, have become a loyal regular due to the friendliness of Richard and Julia, the first class service and of course their excellent food.

If you haven’t heard of the pub or been there, it must be a very closely guarded secret!

I second @topofthehill. Richard and Julia were amazingly friendly and accommodating for our July SE23.life Meetup.

Big heads up for all in one , best run place in forest hill!

It’s got an outdoor play area for kids. In summer, it’s by far the best pub in the whole of Forest Hill for this reason alone.

And also has another two outdoor areas for adults!

Along with the Chandos it has the friendliest staff around.

Damn - I’ve been missing out. I’ll be up there for a pint this week.

Hi John,

Thanks so much for your very lovely message, I will make a note of your friend and come back to you when the weather is a wee bit kinder. We will need to replace the floor because of the oil and vinegar eating into the wood. Also one wing mirror was snapped off and the arial. She’s a 1971 vintage.

In regards to the former part of your message. There is much evidence to point towards the attacks being deliberate, we are unable to go into specific details. We have been interviewed by the police several times given the magnitude of the second attack and I can assure you that neither Caroline or myself have ever suggested that it be a competitor or any other local business. No other business in this community or surrounding communities would do this. Everyone has been completely supportive to us and we’ll never be able to thank everyone of them for their beautiful words, kindness and generosity of spirit.

We are at peace with what has happened now and focussing on our very bright future. Sometimes things happen for a reason. We always try to see the positives in everything.

Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family

Kindest regards

Anita-Clare and Caroline