Catford Mews, Lewisham’s only cinema, has suddenly shut its doors after the building was repossessed by the council over rent arrears.
The cinema, run by operator Really Local Group, said it was “surprised and saddened” at the closure, accusing the council of a “destructive” path by throwing “impossible” terms in a challenging environment.
But Lewisham Council said in a statement that 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” in rent arrears.
The unit was repossessed by CRPL on Tuesday, sparking dismay among some cinema-lovers in the borough and calls for the cinema to be ‘saved’.
In a statement, the three-screen cinema said it had agreed a new-ten year deal in May to deal with arrears, but claimed the council “delayed” finalising it with “impossible” terms, including a large upfront payment at the end of September.
“From this date onwards, no one from the council or the local government would respond to our calls/emails seeking a resolution,” it said in a statement.
“All across the country councils are working with their cinemas to ensure a bright future. It’s a great shame Lewisham council has decided to take this destructive path and force an integral community hub to close.
“Catford Mews has never just been a commercial venture. It was designed to be a place for local residents to make their own, whether that be to join a creative workshop, catch a film, watch comedy or simply hang out with friends.”
But Lewisham Council said while it recognised the value the cinema had brought to the area, its operator had run up “significant arrears” since it moved into the building in 2019.
Officials claimed the council-owned landlord of the building had given the cinema “multiple opportunities” for it to stay at the town centre location, but that it could no longer sustain the arrears.
A council spokesperson said: “CRPL is now proactively looking for a tenant to take over the space and bring the community benefits local people will be keen to see.
“They will also be working with the Council to support staff and the independent traders co-located in the building who are impacted.”
The news has been met with disappointment by some cinephiles in the south London borough, who point to a lack of cinema provision in the area.
One resident said in a post on X: “My local cinema, Catford Mews, suddenly closed its doors due to repossession and I am devastated.
“Working there whilst editing my book was such a precious time for me, the staff were so fun and lovely to work with, and the space itself was a gem in the community.”
Another added that it had been a “lifeline” to the community.
A petition to keep the cinema in its Catford shopping centre location had reached nearly 3,500 signatures by Wednesday lunchtime.
