Lewisham residents were left devastated after the area’s only cinema Catford Mews suddenly shut its doors when the council repossessed the building.
In the last week of October, users of the Mews found the premises, opened in 2019 by the Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL), had been closed.
Chris Douce produced a comedy club at the Mews since it opened and the unexpected closure forced him to cancel his upcoming event, which would have celebrated the club’s fifth anniversary.
Douce said: “I had booked a night for December and a night in November, so I had to email all the six comedy acts to cancel.
“I have always prioritised local comedians because the gig isn’t a big one.
“Ticket sales are split equally with all of the comedians, so there’s just a really good community vibe – you get these locals coming back every month.”
In addition to its cinema screens, the now-shuttered building was host to a cafe, bar, food andcraft stalls, and a space to work.
Ruth Halkon, a parent who used the Mews as a workspace and a way of socialising, said: “It’s pretty devastating, there’s not really a space like it in the area.
“It was Lewisham’s only cinema but beyond that it was far more than a cinema, it was a third space for people to meet.
“To be honest I think it was one of the main things that brought people into Catford, I think lots of people will be looking elsewhere now.”
The CRPL took back keys to the property on 30 October, claiming the cinema operators had accumulated £650,000 in arrears.
Really Local Group, who operated the cinema, disputes the claim.
The group said the CRPL had included expenses for which they had not been billed.
The RLG said: “The council has included rent arrears totaling £204,000 relating to the period we were either unable to operate or severely restricted during Covid.
“In addition, they have added in £168,000 which we have never received invoices for, nor have we, in recent years, received any annual service charge budget.”
The Lewisham community soon rallied in response to the council’s repossession.
Ryan Abbott believed Catford Mews represented the heart of the community and started a petition to reopen it.
He said: “The Mews brings people from all walks of life together and would leave a noticeable void if it is closed down.
“We need community spaces like the Mews that provide a range of activities and facilities.”
The petition has garnered nearly 9,500 signatures, only a few hundred away from its 10,000 goal.
Lewisham Council said it is searching for a new operator for Catford Mews, adding there is already early interest.
Featured Image: Ben Matthews
Join the discussion