Lewisham Council has given Turner Works planning permission for a mixed-use regeneration scheme in Catford The scheme will deliver 113 affordable homes and a mix of workspace across two buildings standing at eight and twelve storeys It will be developed by Lewisham Council at Thomas’ Lane Yard an underused car park site north of Catford Broadway The housing will comprise 74 shared ownership flats and 39 socially rented homes while the scheme will have over 1,200m2 of commercial space with ground-floor retail units and first-floor office space including 20 per cent affordable workspace designed to complement the surrounding area while the massing and layout will provide active edges to the public realm Recessed upper floors will reduce the perceived height of the buildings The scheme will have over 3,000m2 of improved public realm with the two blocks arranged around a public green space This will also link to a new pub garden being delivered as part of the refurbishment of the former Catford Constitutional Club (CCC) The CCC was a popular pub formed of a 1730s Georgian farmhouse and later extensions. It was closed in 2019 following concerns over its structural safety. It is now being repaired to become a pub and community kitchen designed by Hayatsu Architects The Turner Works buildings were approved at Lewisham’s planning committee on Tuesday (29 April) with construction expected to start on site early next year is the first to come forward as part of the Catsford Town Centre Framework which was adopted by the council in 2021 and aims to regenerate the area with new homes Council cabinet member for inclusive regeneration and planning James-J Walsh said: ‘This scheme is about delivering on what Catford residents have asked for ‘People have told us they want real regeneration – regeneration that brings genuinely affordable homes and makes the town centre work for everyone this development will deliver 113 affordable new homes including the family-sized homes our community so urgently needs It will turn an underused car park into a green Tags BDP’s College of Arts & Society at Coventry University has been named… Wandsworth Council has given Gehry Partners planning permission for two more residential… Southwark Council has approved tp bennett’s plans for a 25-storey student tower… Three practices have jointly won the 2025 AJ Small Projects Award at… A Catford man has been sentenced to an indefinite term in a secure hospital after fatally stabbing another man in an “unprovoked attack” outside the victim’s house appeared for sentencing at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to fatally stabbing Filipe Oliveira Haughton was captured on CCTV approaching Oliveira armed with a flick knife stabbing him five times before fleeing the scene Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn of the Metropolitan Police said in a statement “Our investigation utilised extensive CCTV evidence and witness testimonies Haughton will be detained indefinitely in hospital – and may spend the rest of his life there meaning he will no longer be a risk to the public.” “My thoughts today are with Filipe’s family and friends who have had to wait almost two years for justice which saw Filipe fatally stabbed outside his own home.” Police were able to track Haughton’s entire route from his home address in Catford to the victim’s home It took him over 90 minutes to take two trains Investigators used testimonies from eyewitnesses who witnessed the stabbing and anonymous tips to the Crimestoppers tip line that Haughton had bragged to people that he had murdered Oliveira.  Police launched a joint manhunt with the British Transport Police and Dorset Police firearms officers from the British Transport Police arrested Haughton at Waterloo station Ellie Scotney’s career arc is definitely on an upward trajectory Manchester and Nottingham are the furthest the 27-year-old unified world super-bantamweight champion has boxed away from her South London home since turning professional in October 2020 will look to wrench the WBC crown from Yamileth Mercado on July 11 at the legendary venue of Madison Square Gardens Joe Louis and Mike Tyson have fought there – as well as Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano two of the current pioneers of the women’s game Scotney signed with Most Valuable Promotions in early April and will feature on the undercard of the Taylor-Serrano trilogy who has also laced up the gloves professionally Scotney went to the Big Apple recently to help announce her switch to MVP after previously being under a promotional contract with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing “I’ve probably boxed in front of 500 people at most,” Scotney told the South London Press Right now I’m walking into Tesco in Catford looking around and thinking: ‘I was in New York the other day – at Madison Square Garden’ what is the venue you want to box in then Madison Square Garden would be top of that list “To tick it off on my debut with these guys is insane The fight they delivered as well has been ‘wow’ “I came to New York in 2019 when it was Christmas Christmas wasn’t here this time – but I definitely got a present “It’s a different kind of pressure because you know it is in your hands now “You have got to turn up and take care of what is in your control I feel like I’ve done that when everything was stacked a little harder You have got to maintain what has brought you there – even more so “Normally it makes you calmer because you have got that security (of the MVP deal) but it has done the opposite.” Scotney’s last defence saw her outpoint New Zealand’s Mea Motu in January Initially the bout had been set for October until the champion suffered an injury in training “If I’d have boxed in the fight that got cancelled I would’ve gone into a different contract,” said Scotney I would’ve rushed into another signing because MVP have only really put a stamp on women’s boxing in these last two months “I’m a big person of faith and everything happening for a reason I remember Katie boxed Serrano the first fight and I wanted to get on the show I happened to send Jake Paul a DM before the first fight – I’m still waiting for a reply!” Most recently he won a unanimous decision over Tyson and has defeated a number of high-profile UFC fighters who have switched combat sports for the payday “He gets eyeballs on the game,” said Scotney he is invested in other fighters and bringing other people up If you get just a percentage of that then you are in for a lifechanging experience “It is amazing to be a part of that and I’m so blessed “When you talk to MVP and Nikita you get a sense they value you – not just as a fighter but as a person Scotney’s plan is to become undisputed in her division and then move up to featherweight When the MVP switch was announced there were people on social media claiming Matchroom did not maximise her “I’ve had 10 fights but it is the depth I’ve done I’m thankful I was built that way – because there were no gimmicks and I wasn’t given a tomato tin can to knock over and get a highlight reel “I’ll just say they took me to a unified world champion and thank them for that The next step in my career – and my most meaningful – will be somewhere else Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" this giant fiberglass feline has crouched over the Catford Centre in London since 1974 With a playful paw resting on the "F" of "Catford," the statue has become an iconic local resident Brutalist architects Owen Luder and Rodney Gordon the cat was originally installed as part of the Catford Centre's ambitious development known for its raw concrete forms and imposing structures might seem an unlikely pairing with a whimsical kitty the juxtaposition has become a beloved quirk of Catford's urban landscape Over the years The Catford Cat, as it's affectionately known, has weathered numerous storms, both literal and metaphorical. Perhaps the most significant threat to its existence arose in 2017, when plans surfaced that could have seen the beloved feline removed This sparked an outcry from the Catford community and the community's love for their giant cat became undeniably clear The outpouring of support proved successful and the Catford Cat continues to keep a cat's eye on those passing below Look up at the Catford Shopping Centre sign to see a glimpse of the cat This feline raises a friendly paw at drivers barreling toward the freeway Look up as you explore Baku’s old town to find a monument to the local feline population No one knows the story behind the mysterious feline perched on this rooftop Tell this pair of "love-inviting" cats in Ginza your romantic hopes The rubbery beast is sculpted from recycled materials A fabulously bizarre surrealist sculpture by the late artist Leonora Carrington Another entry into the world of Edinburgh's pop-up artworks A public art jibe at one of the United States’ oldest and longest-serving senators 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 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 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 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 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 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 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) Two flats on the 9th and 10th floor of the building were on fire News | London An investigation has been launched after a blaze ripped through flats in a block in Catford Firefighters were scrambled to the fire at the tower block on Rosenthal Road at the junction with Rushey Green at 12.51pm on Wednesday Footage of the blaze showed flames bursting through a burned out flat on one of the building’s top floors Two flats on the 9th and 10th floors of the building were at the heart of the fire The blaze was under control at around 2.15pm and there were no reports of any injuries described the scene from below during the fire at the tower block They told the PA news agency: "Someone was waving from a window on one of the upper floors and we were all shouting 'there's a fire Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled the blaze A fire brigade statement said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a block of flats on Rosenthal Road in Catford There are currently no reports of any injuries “Rushey Green remains closed between Rosenthal Road and Honley Road and people are advised to avoid the area whilst firefighters continue to work at the scene “The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took almost 50 calls to the blaze “The Brigade was called at 1251 and the fire was under control by 1414 Lee Green and surrounding fire stations attended the scene “The cause of the fire is under investigation.” The Brigade's 999 Control Officers have taken almost 50 calls to the blaze Lee Green and surrounding fire stations are at the scene and the cause of the fire is not currently known Lewisham Council said staff are at the scene supporting residents It comes on the day of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry into the 2017 fire which killed 72 people The near-1,700 page document released at 11am on Wednesday lays bare the inquiry’s findings around the actions of corporate firms in the construction industry why is cladding still on so many English homes Grenfell made death trap by 'decades of failure' say locals as they tell of massive flames at Catford tower block fire Make more of London this autumn with these exciting experiences It found that says Grenfell Tower was turned into a death trap by “dishonest” construction firms, architects and negligent politicians who ignored fire safety for decades. VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Lewisham East MP Janet Daby is leading the campaign to reopen Lewisham’s only cinema, which was forced to close last year Catford Mews 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.” the local authority said the Really Local Group (RLG) had run up more than £650,000 in arrears since 2019 Lewisham council said the building’s owner the Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL) could not sustain “this level of financial burden” 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 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 MP Daby said: “The people of Catford have made their voices heard loud and clear 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) Catford Mews was one of the busiest cinemas I have ever been to Mothers and baby groups were often found in the communal section near the bar on the deep seated comfy sofas Not long after the Mews opened a new public library opened next door However the small and slightly sterile space though good for using the computer or getting a book out If you didn’t have somewhere to go on a weekday afternoon Catford Mews was the place you could sit and be in public There was a café and food stalls in the venue all of which have had to shut down there were tables where people could work on their laptop They often had events from comedy to showing the football to craft markets I went there quite a lot both to the cinema or to do work on my laptop I travel through Catford on Fridays to a school I work in so I sometimes went on the way or sometimes went to see a film on the way home In fact its where I would be now instead of at home if it were still open It was the sort of place you could go to see a film on your own and no-one would bat an eyelid when I went to see the Zone of Interest on my own I noticed there were several other lone cinema goers during an early evening screening The Really Local Group did not receive the support they deserved during the pandemic This is not fair on them or the community they supported and created through the cinema I like that cinema too but its 45mins travel My eyes squinting because the screen is not big enough suddenly shut its doors after council-owned landlord repossessed building over rent arrears Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Catford Mews, Lewisham’s only cinema has suddenly shut its doors after the building was repossessed by the council over rent arrears 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 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’. 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 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 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 Man jailed for life after stabbing wife to death and hiding body in Lewisham attic Sharp differences among local areas in time needed to walk to amenities Man arrested following stabbing on south London high street What small business owners can learn from athletes “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 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 Suspect in his 40s remains with officers at his bedside News | Crime A man has been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting a fire that destroyed a house in south east London Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at a semi-detached property on Stanstead Road, Catford Half of a three-bed flat on the ground floor was damaged by flames around 5.45am on Sunday A spokesman said: “One man left the building before the Brigade arrived and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.” The Metropolitan Police added a male in his 40s was detained on suspicion of arson with intent to danger life and remains in hospital with officers The force said: “We were called at 5.45am on Sunday March 2 to reports of a fire at a house in Stanstead Road in Catford Jack Vettriano: From Fife mines to worldwide fame Man to stand trial accused of raping ex-partner during triple murder incident King and Trudeau show off strong bond with warm welcome at Sandringham Man charged with murdering family in house fire appears in court from hospital An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing with the London Fire Brigade.” LFB control officers took the first of nine calls at around 5.38am and mobilised six engines crews from Forest Hill, Lewisham London Ambulance Service said: “We sent resources to the scene an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART) “We treated a man at the scene before taking him to a hospital.” It’s a show with strengths and weaknesses Susie McKenna (who also directs) provides a sparky genuinely funny – a witty summary of the progress from spinning wheels to Amazon And if a bird dropping lands on your head and you choose to ignore it you are the script is absolutely larded with overtly leftish political digs I am a Lewisham resident and know that our council is 100% Labour so the panto is playing to local allegiances all this preaching/pandering to the converted gets tiresomely wearing The show’s strengths include Justin Brett as Dame Nanny Nora which he lays for laughs but is never grotesque and there isn’t a single joke about bodily functions which is a welcome change He has moreover strikingly beautiful diction isn’t afraid to use RP and good at giving jokes time to settle Lisa Davina Phillip has glittering purple stage presence as Carabosse and sings commandingly The decision for her to speak in a very broad Jamaican accent again might do down well locally but at times it blurs the clarity and audibility the good fairy who eventually has to facilitate the downfall of Carabosse – although here it’s about redemption rather than destruction She packs Princess Thalia with feisty confidence and grace and her singing voice is outstanding I was not surprised to learn afterwards that she trained at Royal Academy of Music directed by Ben Goddard-Young does a fine job too and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a harp (Morwenna Brown) worked into a panto score before So it’s generally a pleasing show despite some weak links in the casting.  What's on Reviews Articles Theatre News Pub theatre profiles Getting into Theatre SO Award Nominations LPT Award Winners LPT Awards 2022 in pictures Subscribe to Newsletter Advertise with us Getting into theatre Our Team Request a reviewer Contact We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication A ONEOFF Special Award (February 2024) has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre London pub theatres magazine is published in Rickmansworth by London Pub Theatres Magazine Ltd  ISSN 2977-6724  By 2024-11-12T14:46:00+00:00 The Really Local Group (RLG)’s Preston Benson has called on UK industry bodies the UK Cinema Association (UKCA) and the British Film Institute (BFI) to provide greater support for independent cinemas nearly two weeks after the local council closed the RLG-operated two-screen Catford Mews site in south London “We need the UKCA and the BFI to properly engage and help independent cinemas navigate this new world,” said Benson Benson suggested the organisations should lead discussions on issues including lengthening the theatrical window providing flexibility within the “all dates/all show” regime which can be crippling for a venue of four screens or less and providing marketing support for smaller and indie releases “Whilst commercial releases will always dominate our audiences want to see a wider range of films which [they] don’t know about unless they’re in a very specific awards window,” said Benson founded in 2019 by Benson with a mission to regenerate UK high streets with mixed cultural venues offering live performances Sidcup Storyteller and Throwley Yard Sutton as cinema venues Catford Mews was closed by Lewisham Council on October 29 with the council claiming that RLG had run up arrears of over £650,000 since 2019 and accusing the company of failing to pay its bills or CRPL [Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited] simply cannot afford to prop up a private commercial organisation to this scale It isn’t fair to local businesses who pay their rent and service charges and it isn’t fair to Lewisham Council taxpayers.” which had entered administration in the last three months RLG’s spokesperson confirmed that although this is true Ealing Project is still operational and “doing good trade… the landlords have been extremely supportive” RLG issued a strongly worded response that accused the council’s statement of being “defamatory” and placed the responsibility for the cinema’s closure on the council itself It leaves Lewisham as the only borough in London without a cinema which is situated in the Catford Centre shopping complex shut down during the pandemic and reopened its doors in late 2021 RLG was expected to take care of the maintenance and upkeep of the internal structure of the cinema venue had failed to discharge its responsibilities for providing security and for the upkeep of the roof The Group has also questioned the amount of arrears it is said to have accrued RLG said it had made significant investments of its own to “prop up the Catford Centre” and accused the council of delaying repairs for which it was responsible “Over the past five years we have been forced to pour hundreds of thousands of pounds into the Catford Centre for maintenance “Our staff have endured dozens of frightening/xenophobic incidents from a very small minority When they called upon Catford Centre security they were repeatedly told that Centre management was not able to intervene leaving them in an unsafe situation,” RLG alleged Catford Mews has spent more than £1.4m to set up the site and incurred losses of £930,000 through Covid energy costs spiking and the recent Hollywood strikes,” RLG explained further “We could have walked away a long time ago but chose not to as we were committed to putting the community and the wider Catford Centre regeneration first.” Lewisham Council declined to make any further comment or respond to rumours that it has reached a deal with Arc Cinemas to open a new venue in the Lewisham Shopping Centre.  RLG’s spokesperson suggested other cinema companies would now be wary about operating in the borough: “The cinema exhibitor community is very tight-knit I can’t imagine how any other operator would look at the situation and how the council has treated Really Local Group and think RLG is making overtures to the council to reopen Catford Mews and has also launched a Save Catford Mews petition which has secured around 9,200 signatures so far The closure of Catford Mews came just two weeks before the record-breaking UK release of Paddington In Peru. Forthcoming releases expected to attract good audiences include Gladiator II Wicked and Moana 2.    tells us that what we are doing at Really Local Group is right and that we have created something special,” said the spokesperson Company’s latest foray into genre will open theatrically on October 10 Bookmark this page and keep track of the latest film release dates in the UK & Ireland Principal photography scheduled for later this year Monday’s statement to reporters follows Truth Social ’Thunderbolts*’ has achieved the third-biggest opening number for a US studio film in 2025 Bookmark this page to keep track of all the latest festival dates Screen International is the essential resource for the international film industry access to the Screen International archive and supplements including Stars of Tomorrow and World of Locations Site powered by Webvision Cloud