The operator of the closed-down Catford Mews cinema has been liquidated, but the businessman behind the venture hopes to open up again in a nearby location.
Really Local Group (Catford Mews) Ltd was placed in liquidation at 2pm on Wednesday, four months after its landlord, a Lewisham Council company, repossessed the building saying it had run up “significant arrears”.
The company had been under threat of being compulsorily struck off after having failed to meet a deadline to file its 2023 accounts.
But in a statement, its parent company, Really Local Group, said it was “actively exploring options for relaunching this cherished cultural hub at a new site within the local area”, although it did not give details of where.
Catford Mews opened in 2019 in a former Poundland unit in the Catford Centre, which Lewisham Council aims to redevelop as part of a wider scheme to transform the town centre.
The closure prompted angry exchanges between Really Local Group and the council, which accused the company of having run up debts of £650,000. In return, Really Local accused the council’s subsidiary, Catford Regeneration Partnerships Limited, of having cost it money by mismanaging the site.
However, tempers seem to have cooled, with Really Local’s founder Preston Benson saying he “ultimately respected” the council’s decision.
The company has continued to dispute the level of debt that it owed to the council, but said that it could not disclose figures. A true picture is expected later this month when a liquidator’s report is published.
“Catford Mews and its private investors invested over £1.2 million in transforming the site from its former life as a Poundland,” the statement said.
“The venue has employed over 80 staff members since its inception and has supported local food traders by incubating more than 10 traders. However, this has not been without its struggles, as the site faced significant challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, disruptions to film releases, the impact of the Hollywood strikes, and economic pressures from the UK’s rising energy costs – which led to financial losses of approximately £930,000, all of which were borne by these same private investors.”
Benson said: “On behalf of the entire Catford Mews team, I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Catford and surrounding Lewisham communities for their unwavering support. While the closure hasn’t been easy, we ultimately respect the Council’s decisions around the Catford Centre. We still see a positive future, love our home in the borough of Lewisham, and hope to be back there again for years to come.”
While Really Local Group did not specified a location, the Lewisham Gateway development, a mile and a half up the road, does contain space for a cinema, which is so far unoccupied. A spokesperson said the company was “considering several options” and was unable to comment further.
Lewisham Council said in November that a number of new tenants were interested in taking over Catford Mews itself. The council has been asked for comment.
Another Really Local company relinquished control of the Sidcup Storyteller cinema in January after also being put into liquidation. Really Local Group (Blockbuster) Ltd had been threatened with a winding-up order by a finance house.
A statement of affairs published by Companies House showed that Bexley Council, which built the cinema, was owed £55,000 in rent, while 14 employees were owed £26,000.
The Storyteller, which is also home to a public library, opened in June 2023 on the site of a former Blockbuster store. Like Lewisham, Bexley is also looking for a new operator, while the Storyteller is currently being run by a company set up by Benson called RLG SPV Beta Ltd.
Similar problems have also hit Really Local cinemas in Reading and Ealing, both of which continue to trade, while the company is still running another cinema in Sutton.
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