Pic: Catford Bridge Tavern

The Catford Bridge Tavern is set to reopen tonight, after striking a deal with the supermarket chain who took it over last month.

After 2,000 people signed a petition to save the popular pub, Lewisham Council intervened, issuing an Article Four Direction, listing the building and preventing any change of use.

The supermarket chain, which remain unknown, signed a lease for the site on Station Approach after sealing a deal with owners Technostar Ltd.

On Wednesday, Antic Ltd, who own the Catford Bridge Tavern and 28 other venues across the capital, announced that an agreement had been made with the supermarket to sublet the premises, clearing the way for the pub to reopen.

Initially the site will be leased on short term basis, as a ‘tenancy at will’ until a more permanent lease is drawn up.

Richard Salthouse, General Manager of Catford Bridge Tavern, told Eastlondonlines: “even when we closed we were stood on the doorstep hoping to negotiate a way of staying. Obviously that didn’t happen, but now it has.”

Adding that ‘the supermarket have been good to us’, he also praised Lewisham Council for their support in saving the pub: “They took the planning application seriously and rejected it on good grounds.”

Antic Ltd originally sublet the building from Punch Taverns, until they were evicted by Technostar – who have refused to comment on their decision to evict the original tenants, or how they feel about the return of the Catford Bridge Tavern.

One excited Lewisham resident took to Twitter yesterday to celebrate the borough’s victory, saying, “Thanks Santa, you got me @catfordtavern reopening, now add #SaveLewishamAE for xmas and we’ll forget the perfume and call it quits”.