News on Catford Town Centre

Last weekend marked Small Business Saturday, acting as a counterpart to days such as ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’ which big brands use to push their goods in the run-up to Christmas, Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to instead spend in the small, local businesses found on their doorsteps.

Lockdown and other restrictions put on the retail and hospitality sectors in the UK due to the Covid-19 pandemic have had a huge effect on businesses and high streets up and down the country. Catford is no different.

We believe that Catford’s small, independent businesses make the town what it is and supporting them 365 days a year is one of our main priorities. Did you know that for every £1 spent with a local, independent business, between 50 and 70p circulates back into the local economy? It’s in all our best interest to shop locally as best we can.

One way we are currently supporting local businesses is through our latest project; the Catford Cookbook . Written to celebrate Catford’s rich heritage, we purposely made sure that the recipes included in the book can be made from ingredients you can find at independent Catford shops. Fifteen local businesses are given shout outs throughout the book; dishes such as coconut prawns can be made from shellfish bought at H&S Fish Market, Japanese breadcrumbs from FLK Chinese Grocery and then served with a mango sour chutney by local brand, Pat & Pinky’s. Not only can you discover a dish you have never tried before, you might also step into a shop you have never visited before.

We also support local independent businesses through our shop House of Catford , which acts as a creative outlet for Catfordians such as Big Gay Al, Pat & Pinky, Daun’s Deli and Mont 58 who have worked with us on exclusive collaborations that you won’t find anywhere else. Nurturing the talent of local residents and providing them with a place to sell and develop their wares is something we are very proud of.

Exciting news...the House of Catford shop will be popping up 10am-4pm on the 12th, 13th, 19th & 20th of December at 23/24 Winslade Way, Catford Shopping Centre SE6 4JU. (Opposite Iceland).

Small Business Saturday may be over but you can still support the wealth of local, independent traders here in Catford. For most, this has probably been the most difficult year in their businesses history. We understand that money may be slightly tighter than usual this year, but if you are able to, please consider supporting one of the many local businesses in Catford and making a purchase this Christmas.

We would love to hear if you’re keeping your Catford Christmas shopping local this year! Let us know your favourite independent shops in the town by tagging us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram and we will repost.