Hi Bill.
The building belonged to William Harbrow’s, who were mainly builders, and I am almost certain they built this building. They also did contract work for the government, maintaining Radar Towers all over the country, this is what I did, my first job. I think you are right about a Print Firm being in the same building.
Your dad probably got out of the Café at the right time as Bricklayers Arms Carriage Depot, which was on both sides of the road, was winding down, so the Café would have lost a lot of customers.
I’m not sure if you have located it, but there is more information in the Rotherhithe New Road Topic.
To help you with this, as the “search this topic” does not always work.
So, if you click into Buildings & Streets, then go to page or number 4, the Rotherhithe New Road Topic (fingers crossed) should be down there.
You will also see that I had a Senior moment regarding the building and William Harbrow’s, well it was 60 plus years ago, and you can’t remember everything.
Anything else Bill just let me know and I will try and help.
Cheers Ray (Kiwi).