Catford Bridge Tavern pub under threat from supermarket plans (From News Shopper)

Catford Bridge Tavern pub under threat from supermarket plans

2:34pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Mark Chandler

THE recently-opened Catford Bridge Tavern is under threat from developers, it has been revealed.

Last week, there were calls for Lewisham Council to help kerb its dramatic decrease in pubs, and if anything can focus the minds of councillors on the problem it is the Catford Bridge Tavern.

Just down the road from Catford Town Hall, the pub has been turned around by new operator Antic from its troubled days as The Copperfield to become one of the area's best.

But, just eight months after opening, a planning application has gone in from the site's owner to turn it into a supermarket and flats.

Antic operations manager Max Alderman said that, because they have a tenancy at will with Punch Taverns who lease the site from a company called DVS Properties, their management of the pub can easily be terminated.

He said: "Punch can remove us from the building when they like and all our work will go down the drain.

"It's a readymade win win for a supermarket and landlord who don't want to have a pub there.

"Our argument is that it's a vital part of the community and provides an important role."

When the news was announced on the twitter website, the pub's feed was filled with messages of support - from MP Heidi Alexander to regular drinkers threatening to stage a "lock-in" demonstration.

To find out how to support the pub visit their website.