Forest Hill The Capitol Wetherspoons soft play plan - What we know

Located at 11–21 London Road, The Capitol pub closed its doors on October 15, 2023 after more than two decades in business.

Initially, the historic building began life as a cinema in the late 1920s, before being turned into a bingo hall and later taken up by Wetherspoons in 2001.

However, the former cinema turned pub is set to have a new lease of life, as plans were approved on 21 January 2026 by Lewisham Council to transform the historic building into a children’s indoor soft play centre.

Plans submitted by Jonathan Laznik of Harra Investments 1 Limited outlined proposals to install a multi-level soft play structure along with party rooms, toilet and baby‑changing facilities, and a reception and servery area.

The plans also included adding buggy parking and removing non‑original pub additions in order to restore more of the building’s original layout.

They also include creating a small two‑bedroom staff apartment on the upper floor.

The Theatre Trust levied its support for the change of use when plans were initially submitted last year, saying that the former cinema is an important Grade II‑listed heritage asset and that returning the long‑vacant building to an active use would be beneficial for the community.

In its response, the trust highlighted that many of the proposed alterations focused on removing non‑original pub additions, which would therefore have a neutral or positive impact on the building’s significance.

It also supported the reversible nature of the large soft‑play structure and welcomed proposals to relocate surviving cinema seating to another venue.

Plans were approved by councillors in January this year, with works able to continue under a series of conditions designed to protect the Grade II‑listed building’s historic features.

Among these were requirements for a detailed audit of features and method statement to be submitted before any demolition could begin, ensuring the safeguarding of elements such as the stained‑glass windows, decorative plasterwork, original joinery and the proscenium arch.

Another condition required a conservation‑accredited structural engineer to justify any works to existing beams, after concerns were raised about proposals to replace a third‑floor landing beam.

The applicant has since submitted the necessary reports this month, including a heritage‑led protection plan and a structural assessment, allowing the project to move forward, with works potentially starting later this year.