Catford Bridge Tavern - Death and Rebirth

There were three men came out of the west, their fortunes for to try 
And these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn must die 
They've ploughed, they've sown, they've harrowed him in Threw clods upon his head 
And these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn was dead 
They've let him lie for a very long time, 'til the rains from heaven did fall 
And little Sir John sprung up his head and so amazed them all
- John Barleycorn, Traffic

The Catford Bridge Tavern has been forced to close, but hopes to make a swift return (for the background, click here). Manager Richard explains:

Punch Taverns, who were leaseholders and with whom we had a tenancy at will, served us notice and took the freeholder's offer to end the lease. Punch have been good to us - they tried to assign the lease to us, tried to sub-let to us, both were blocked by freeholder. So we emptied and left the building today.

The freeholder has agreed a deal with a national retailer to take over the space, but the retailer was unaware of the Article 4 Direction put in place by Lewisham Council. Article 4 Direction essentially makes a supermarket impossible. So we're hopeful of either getting a sub-lease from the retailer, or a lease from freeholder. Either way, we're confident we have a good chance - we could re-open soon, all being well!