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Cat Tav, catford, catford bridge tavern, Closed, Closes, loss of a pub., Planning permission, pub closure, pubs, sad news, why do we lose good pubs?
It is with great sadness I write to tell anyone who isn’t yet aware: Catford Bridge Tavern has closed.
The news came to us via the pub’s social networking channels late last night, and low and behold, they were packing up and handing in the keys this morning.
Picture by Fur Coat, no Knickers –click to see her blog
Though we knew it was under threat from a planning application to change the use of the property, I think it’s hit us all unexpectedly. Just as we began to get confident that all was going to be OK.
So this is as far as I know:
The planning application to change the property’s use has not yet been decided on by the planning committee. The total stands at 488 neighbours who have personally written in to the planning board personally to object the application and a further on-line and hard-copy petition also has thousands of signatures.
What has caused the pub to have to hand its keys over is that the freeholder has managed to make a deal with a national retailer without the planning permission.
So there is hope. The hope is that this retailer will have to eventually realise they can’t put a shop there, because they fail to get permission from the planning authorities, therefore they duck out and Antic pubs gets to reinstate themselves at this site.
One of the things on our side is that the pub has gained an Article Four status. This will make it much harder to get a pub changed to a retail space.
I am currently really angry and upset, and I am writing to feel better. I think I’ve got the story straight from what I’ve heard and read, but it may be that I’ve not got all the facts so bare with me and please do not take this post as gospel.
Its funny how the loss of a pub feels like the loss of a relative. I know it’s silly but it really does feel horrible.
My heart goes out to all the staff, and a sincere thank you for making this place so wonderful in the short time you were here.
Nothing will come close to replacing this pub in my eyes.
For more on Catford Bridge Tavern see these previous posts:
Drink and be Merry 
I’ve just looked at the Council notices which have been affixed to the pub and here’s how I understand the position, tho I’m not a lawyer or a planner. The Article 4 Direction means that the use of the premises can’t be changed to retail, financial services or a restaurant without express planning permission. (Without the Direction, this could have happened.) So, while the owner can in theory apply for planning permission to convert the CBT into a national retailer, it’s unlikely to be granted. Lewisham Council did something similar with the Baring Hall Hotel in Grove Park and its refusal was upheld on appeal. The owner could apply to convert the pub into flats, but again, it seems unlikely the Council would grant permission. With any luck, all this means that the premises’ only future is as a pub (hooray!). Of course, this doesn’t mean that Antic will get the tenancy. The owner might for example think that Wetherspoons would be a better (ie more profitable) tenant. But let’s hope sense prevails.
Whatever the outcome, we should congratulate and thank Lewisham’s Planning Dept for taking this action.
Thank you for your comment, very well put. We should all be crossing our fingers and staying positive right now.
Hi there, just to make things clear, the Catford Bridge Tavern is closed temporarily while we sort out a new lease agreement with the landlord. Punch have terminated their lease and we were Tenants at Will so had to leave when they did. Negotiations have started with the landlord and we hope to be open again soon.
Thanks for all your concern, and lovely comments.
Fi
I know exactly how you feel. I felt genuinely bereft when I heard the news. The pub’s only been open since March and it’s closing has left a massive hole in the community. That’s pretty impressive. The council obviously agrees, so fingers crossed!