Derelict cemetery lodge in Southwark to be turned into cafe and community space

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A derelict cemetery lodge that has sat empty for 50 years is set to be restored to its former Victorian glory.

Southwark council wants to transform the crumbling East Lodge at Nunhead Cemetery into a café and office space.

The crumbing Grade-II listed East Lodge at Nunhead Cemetery is currently covered in scaffolding and is listed as “at Risk” by English Heritage.

It fell into disrepair in the 1970s after a fire.

But the building is now set to get a facelift, which will see the scaffolding finally taken down and new floors and ceiling installed.

Southwark council planning documents say: “The East Lodge is in a ruinous derelict state.

“There are no floors and no roof as a consequence of fire and 40 years of decay. The lower ground floor was permanently flooded due to surface water runoff impacting soils conditions and stability of remaining walls and foundations.

“The structure is currently supported by the scaffolding surrounding the building and the area is fenced from the public.

“The proposals involve the total restoration of the facades of the building to its former historic elevations.”

The council said the plans for the Grade-II listed lodged would see it receive a complete refit, inside and out.

It added: “This would include the rebuilding of the portico, the repair of brick, mortar, stucco and the insertion of sash windows and doors to the existing openings, plus new slate pitched roof, repointing and rebuilding the chimney as necessary.

“Internally, the proposals include the restoration of the majority of the floors and floorplan, plus new staircase and partitions to facilitate the uses of an office, café and community rooms.”

The East Lodge was originally built in the Victorian era as an office for cemetery staff.

It was extended in 1874 and turned into accommodation for graveyard staff.

It was damaged by a bomb blast during World War Two, but survived and returned to its original purposes as offices.

But after changing hands in the late 1960s, the new owners failed to repair the lodge and it gradually deteriorated.

A temporary roof was installed in 1997.

The Friends of Nunhead Cemetery [FONC] welcomed the plans.

A spokesman for the group said: “FONC fully supports the overarching proposals for the restoration of the East Lodge and has been part of the East Lodge Project Board which has contributed to the development of the current proposals.”

But they added: “FONC believes that allocation of internal space for a café operation should not take up floor space to the detriment of community facilities.”