‘This is what we’ve always wanted to do’: one of the founders behind the new Ladywell restaurant tells us about the love of local
“A great neighbourhood restaurant is a vital piece of a thriving local high street,” says Joel Falconer, co-founder of Wilson’s in Ladywell.
The Lewisham spot was opened by three friends in March this year, who all bring a love of old-school hospitality and a love of the local area to their new venture.
Chef founder Henry Freestone and co-founder Alina Falconer, along with Joel, have built Wilson’s with a desire to create something to be proud of.
But why Wilson’s and why now? “This is what we’ve always wanted to do,” says Joel. “All three of us have had the dream of opening our own place for a long time and the opportunity to work together in our own local neighbourhood came along.”
Neighbourhood restaurants can have a huge impact on the community: “It provides an anchor for the evening economy and where you have a few different options for eating and drinking it can make a massive difference,” he says.
“Every pound spent in the local independent economy benefits local residents and small suppliers, and helps to lift up other local businesses with a sense of positivity and growth.”
Open Thursday to Saturday, for now, you’ll find that positivity at Wilson’s.
Chef Henry was born in Ladywell. His background includes opening Crispin in 2018, he was head chef at Peckham Cellars and, in 2021, he earned a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for his food.
Expect regular menu updates, with weekly dishes of the moment. You can expect tantalising flavour combinations like goat’s cheese profiteroles with beetroot and walnuts, or brown crab rarebit, or beef shin nuggets with horseradish sour cream.
“Henry cooks properly,” Joel says of the food at Wilson’s. “No water baths or tweezers… just traditional cooking and classic techniques. We focus on European flavours and lean hard into some classic old-school flavours.
“The menu is pretty traditional in style, with starters, mains and desserts. We’re definitely not a ’small plates concept’.”
And for Wilson’s, the service and the hospitality are as much part of the experience as the food and wine, he adds.
Alongside the great food, there’s also great glasses to enjoy. You can sip on a complex white, a bright sparkling, a structured red or a pink, orange or no and low alcohol.
Wilson’s wine philosophy has seen them “create a wine list that is accessible in every sense”, says Joel. “Not just in terms of price but also in terms of the wines themselves.”
“We’ve tried to include classic names and traditional styles, which provide a sense of familiarity rather than intimidation.”
Alina spent long stints at high-end restaurants learning the craft of serious hospitality, before going on to work in the speciality coffee industry. And Joel spent his career working in operations and as MD of restaurant groups. He decided the time was right to commit to working alongside Alina to grow and develop their coffee shop, Oscar’s, as well as start laying the foundations to one day open a restaurant of their own. (See, Wilson’s).
Alina and Joel have lived in the area for over 10 years now, and the two opened Oscar’s over five years ago. In that time, “we have seen the local area go from strength to strength”, he explains.
“It’s not just the small indie businesses, but also the increased engagement in local community groups and all the other parts of a thriving local area, which we have seen increase over the years.”
And it is these indie businesses that are a big factor in making the area feel unique, Joel says.
“The parks are amazing, and the sense of community is fantastic. We feel lucky to have all this and be only 10 minutes from town on the train,” he adds.
77 Ladywell Road, SE13 7JA
