LEWISHAM Council planning officers have rejected turning the Catford Bridge Tavern into a supermarket.

The popular venue, previously a problem boozer in the area before it was taken over by pub chain Antic, was closed last week following an application by its landlord to turn it into flats and a retail unit.

Councillors, local MP Heidi Alexander and thousands of customers had all campaigned against the change, with more than 2,000 signing an online petition to keep it open and 440 people sending objections to Catford Town Hall. 

Officers cited the loss of a "vital and valued community facility" for this week's decision to reject the plans.

Other reasons were the negative impact on the town centre, and the "substandard" size of the proposed flats.