Potential tenants are coming forward to take on Catford Mews, two weeks after the sudden closure of the cinema and community hub, according to Lewisham Council.
The doors were locked at the borough’s only cinema after a row over unpaid rent between its operator, Really Local Group, and the council, which owns the building through its subsidiary, Catford Regeneration Partnerships Ltd (CRPL).
Some 16 staff are believed to have lost their jobs in the closure, while a number of independent food outlets that traded from the venue have also been hit.
The search has now formally begun for a new operator. Lewisham is hoping it can find a tenant who can pay £113,000 each year in rent and service charges for the cinema, bar and kitchens.
The closure of the cinema prompted a war of words between Lewisham and Really Local, with the council accusing the company of running up £650,000 in arrears, while Really Local said it had incurred extra costs of its own because of an alleged lack of maintenance by CRPL.
Lewisham said in a statement issued on Tuesday that a new offer from Really Local to take on the building had been rejected because the two parties were “were unable to agree terms that would provide assurance to CRPL that rent arrears and future rents would be paid in full”.
It also said that Really Local had been given four weeks’ notice that the building may be repossessed, but had not told staff or traders.
But Really Local hit back almost straight away on social media, saying: “We refute these latest allegations, particularly around notice of eviction. This is simply not true and sadly further deflection… a naked attempt to sow discord with our team and our vendors.”
“Lewisham Council is confident that CRPL will find a new operator who will provide an accessible and financially sustainable space which adds value to Catford town centre as soon as possible,” the council’s statement continued.
“The council has passed on multiple expressions of interest to CRPL and will continue to support engagement with potential new operators of the space. Viewings of the space will start this month. The council will update more on this in the coming weeks.
“The council shares the community’s disappointment over the need for this temporary closure of Catford Mews. In the meantime, nearby Catford Library remains open to residents, with access to free wi-fi, work and study space, and a range of other facilities. Lewisham Council’s focus is to work with CRPL, to speed up the reopening of Catford Mews while supporting the businesses and employees affected.”
Lewisham’s update came as Really Local told the film industry website Screen Daily that it other operators would be wary about taking on Catford Mews.
A spokesperson said: “I can’t imagine how any other operator would look at the situation and how the council has treated Really Local Group and think, ‘that is a place I want to operate’.”
The chain’s founder, Preston Benson, said smaller chains needed more help from the industry, such as longer theatrical windows – the period when films are exclusively in cinemas.
The spokesperson said: “Our business model is the right one. All we need now is regular films.”
Follow The Greenwich Wire on Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads. You can also sign up for WhatsApp alerts – or subscribe to our emails through the blue box above.
You must be logged in to post a comment.