The long hoped for return of the Catford Mews cinema has been delayed, reports the Greenwich Wire, as no lease has yet been signed.
Castle Cinema, an independent crowd-funded group based in Hackney, was named early in 2026, before the council elections, as the new operator of the Catford site.
But the Wire reports that while negotiations with Castle are continuing no final agreement between the council and castle has been reached.
Lewisham’s Green council blames the previous Labour administration for announcing the news before a deal had been agreed.
Catford Mews, originallyoperated by the Really Local group which specialises in regenerating hight streets, closed down more than two years ago because of rent arrears. The group went into liquidation owing a quarter of milliuon pounds.
The cinema was expected to reopen this summer under new owners Castle, which has been reported to be hiring staff for Catford. But the council says until a lease is finally signed it cannot confirm any opening date.
Castle is expected to operate the three screens and bar, as well as the food court at the front of the building, which will be renamed Castle Catford.
The Wire reports Castle took over another former Really Local cinema, the Sidcup Storyteller, in December last year, after signing a deal with Bexley Council.
Independent group Castle Cinema to take over former Catford Mews site and open cinema in the summer
Castle Cinema, an independent crowd-funded cinema operator, is to take over the old Catford Mews site at Winslade Way in the Catford shopping centre.
The site, which was closed down 15 months ago because of rent arrears, is expected to reopen in the summer as the Castle Cinema Catford,
Castle, which was established in 2015, will operate three screens and the bar in Catford. It will also take on the running of the food court in the building.
The return of the cinema to Catford forms part of the Council’s long-term strategy to strengthen town centre footfall, support evening and weekend activity and provide accessible cultural opportunities for local residents.
Councillor James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning, said the announcement “sits alongside the opening of The Catford House, the imminent arrival of Goldsmiths, University of London’s new Catford campus, and the delivery of Thomas’ Lane Yard, our 100 per cent affordable housing scheme.
“Catford’s renewal is not about quick fixes, it is about steady, responsible regeneration that’s shaped by and for the community.”
The Catford announcement comes just days after the council said an operator had finally been found for the Lewisham Gateway cinema.
It said the Irish cinema opertor Arc Cinemas would take on the nine screen site close to the shopping centre. The cinema is expected to opern next year.
The cinema will be a boost for the troubled Gateway development which has suffered delays and a major water leak forcing residients to move out just a few months after they first moved in.