Catford Mews: MP leading campaign to reopen Lewisham’s only cinema
Lewisham East MP Janet Daby is leading the campaign to reopen Lewisham’s only cinema, which was forced to close last year.
Catford Mews, which sits within Catford Centre, was repossessed by Lewisham council on October 29.
MP Daby said: “The community has deeply felt the loss of Catford Mews.
“My family and I loved to go there with friends and family, and we all miss its presence at the heart of Catford.
“We would all like it up and running again.”
In a statement, the local authority said the Really Local Group (RLG), the operators of Catford Mews, had run up more than £650,000 in arrears since 2019.
Lewisham council said the building’s owner, the Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL), which is wholly owned by the council, could not sustain “this level of financial burden”.
But the move sparked a bitter row, with RLG accusing the council of a “destructive” path by throwing “impossible” terms in a challenging environment.
MP Daby said: “We need an operator who respects and understands the value of community, supports our local economy and provides well-paid jobs.
“I have made it clear that the new Catford Mews must deliver more than just a cinema—it must be a thriving cultural and social space, offering a welcoming café, eateries, a bar and a venue for community events and activities.”
Lewisham council has received several bids from potential operators and is in the process of reviewing them. A decision is expected “imminently”, a spokesman said.
MP Daby said: “The people of Catford have made their voices heard loud and clear. This space meant so much to so many, and I am determined to see it not just restored but improved.”
Regular updates will be provided via the council’s social media channels and website.
Pictured top: Lewisham East MP Janet Daby outside the former site of Catford Mews (Picture: Janet Daby)