Dear LPG readers,

I have lived in the Lewisham area for so many years that I like to think that I know it like the back of my hand.  The problem is that like many areas of our capital it is always changing.  There are so many landmarks that are no longer there.

I would imagine that many readers of LPG have lived or worked here for so long that they will remember the Ritz cinema and the Odeon that were more or less opposite each other until the powers that be had the bright Idea of ‘rejuvenating’ that whole clock tower end of the borough.  I am wondering if readers can remember how many shops were levelled? 

But it appears that cinemas are gradually coming back to our borough.  Only last September, Catford mews reopened their old Poundland site which includes a cinema complex, and this week LPG has been asked to share the news that Ladywell Playtower is also to resurface with a screen or two.

LPG was send the following press release and asked to share it with our readers…

Way forward agreed on Ladywell Playtower restoration

A way forward on the restoration of Ladywell Playtower has been agreed which will allow the Grade II listed building to be brought back into use for the community.

Plans to transform the historic Victorian bath house into a new three-screen cinema with café, bar and residential units have been revised to also include a dedicated space for use by community groups and as an affordable workspace.   

In 2017 Curzon Cinemas won the bid to restore the Playtower after the building was badly damaged by fire and fell into disrepair. 

But investigations into the condition of the building revealed that the cost of restoring the historic building, which sits within the St Mary’s Conservation Area, were greater than anticipated. As solutions to raise the necessary funds were explored, the restoration works slowed.

Following conversations between the council, the developer Guildmore and Curzon over the summer, the proposed restoration works to Ladywell Playtower have been revised.

It has been agreed that up to 200m2 of ground floor space be used as an affordable workspace for local businesses or bookable community space.  The space would be let at rates below the market rate. Curzon Cinemas has also committed to offer discounted cinema tickets to local residents.

The changes to the proposed restoration works to Ladywell Playtower were agreed at a meeting of Mayor and Cabinet tonight (20 November).

A full planning application is expected to be submitted early in 2020. 

The Council will retain the freehold to the building.

Maureen B

For LPG