Squatters move into Catford Mews as cinema remains empty months after closure

1 April 2025 Claudia Lee

Lewisham’s only cinema has been occupied by squatters, having been left empty for months following the venue’s closure.

Really Local Group (Catford Mews) Ltd was placed into liquidation on March 12, four months after the building housing the cinema in the Catford Centre was repossessed by Lewisham council.

In November 2024, the local authority said a number of new tenants were interested in taking over the former Catford Mews site.

But squatters are now occupying the building and have pinned up a legal notice warning that they can only be removed if the owners obtain a county court order.

*Squatters have pinned up a legal notice warning that they can only be removed if the owners obtain a county court order (Picture: Chris Douce)*

The government made the squatting of residential buildings illegal in 2012, but it is not illegal to take over commercial properties.

The squatters must ensure they do not cause criminal damage on the properties.

Lawyers for the building’s owner, the Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL) which is wholly owned by the council, have issued a claim for possession to the county court.

A CPRL spokesman said: “We have made the council aware of an issue at 32 Winslade Way and are taking the necessary actions to resolve this.

“The previous operator closed the space after accruing unpaid rent and service charges, leaving a hole in the community that we are all feeling.

*Lawyers for the building’s owner have issued a claim for possession to the county court (Picture: Chris Douce)*

“CRPL, supported by the council, is keen to bring the unit back to life as soon as possible, and we have been working to identify a new operator who will be able to bring an exciting new space to Catford.”

The closure of Catford Mews came after RLG ran up more than £650,000 in arrears since 2019, the council said. This was a “level of financial burden” the CRPL “could not sustain”.

But the move sparked a bitter row, with RLG accusing the council of a “destructive” path by throwing “impossible” terms in a challenging environment.

Now, RLG has said it is “actively exploring options” to relaunch the cinema at a new space in the area.

Pictured top: Catford Mews was repossessed by Lewisham council in October 2024 (Picture: Catford Mews)