News on Catford Town Centre

The community engagement is well underway and we’ve gathered ideas from over 1,100 people on the Commonplace website and via face-to-face events. Over the last month, we’ve popped up at Little Nan’s, the Rushey Green local assembly, two consultation events at the library and the Lewisham Pensioners' Forum's Financial Fair. Nearly everyone has told us Catford has a special character that should be preserved as we embark on the big changes - we agree! Check out the latest engagement events here , add your thoughts to the map here and be sure to come along to chat to us.

Here’s a quick roundup of what we’ve been up to in Catford over the last month.

Anyone wandering through Catford in recent weeks will have noticed new and exciting artwork popping up throughout the neighbourhood. From butterflies fluttering along Catford Bridge, to mice hiding from the Catford Cat, the artwork is not only showcasing some of Catford’s talented artists, but is also proving to be a real talking point for Catford folk. Team Catford is proud to support 6 Arts and the stunning street art unfolding across the town centre - three cheers to the team and watch this space for more to come. We’ve been out and about to hear views on what the artwork means to Catford - listen to just some of their thoughts below.

Lights, camera, action, Catford! Catford was once south east London’s film capital, home to three cinemas, and more recently the Catford Free Film Festival, now in its third successful year. Our neighbourhood will once again become a film hotspot with the set construction company, Supersets, ready to take over the Thomas Lane depot. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, Supersets will now use their expertise to renovate and revive the building, creating a workshop that will be used to create film and TV sets. The space will also be transformed as a community hub, with plans for a community beach and a skate park, drive-in movie nights, evening classes and apprenticeships. Hear more about Supersets plans for the space in the video below.

Over a warm autumn weekend, award winning distillers and gin lovers alike flocked to Catford for the neighbourhood’s first ever gin festival. Held in an empty unit in Catford’s shopping centre, no less than 15 new and established gin brands were available for sampling and guests were invited to relax in the gin cocktail bar, swot up on their gin facts at the gin masterclasses and, of course, take away a bottle of Catford’s very own Tom Cat Six, scotch bonnet infused gin from the on-site shop. There was also plenty to keep rumbling stomachs satisfied with mouth-watering street food from Raastawala and Jerk Off BBQ. Watch our video of festival fun below.

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