Plans for a children's indoor soft play centre at the former Wetherspoons pub in Forest Hill, Lewisham, have taken a significant step forward. Harra Investments 1 Limited has submitted a new application to Lewisham Council seeking approval for restoration and cleaning works at The Capitol, located at 11–21 London Road.
The Grade II-listed building closed as a Wetherspoons pub in 2024 after more than two decades of operation. Originally opened in 1929 as a cinema, the venue later became a bingo hall and then a pub. Its next chapter is set to transform it into a family-focused leisure destination in the heart of Forest Hill.
Planning approval and building conversion
Lewisham Council granted planning permission in January 2026 for the conversion of the vacant building into a children's indoor soft play centre. The approved scheme includes a large multi-level play structure, party rooms, café facilities, and an on-site manager's flat. Since the approval, developers have been addressing a series of conditions aimed at protecting the building's historic features before redevelopment can proceed.
Cleaning trials were carried out on September 10, followed by a formal condition discharge application submitted on September 18. The latest submission focuses on restoration and cleaning works, marking another milestone in the project's progression.
Interior plans and conservation efforts
Interior plans involve removing several additions installed during the building's time as a pub, including bars, kitchen facilities, storerooms, and modern fittings. These will be replaced with play equipment, reception facilities, accessible toilets, buggy parking, and staff areas. A two-bedroom apartment is also planned for the second floor to accommodate a live-in manager, which developers say will provide on-site supervision and security.
The project places a strong emphasis on conservation. Proposals include the preservation of decorative plasterwork, ceiling roses, and cornices, restoration of parts of the original cinema entrance, and protection of the building's distinctive Art Deco and Egyptian Revival features. These measures aim to retain the building's historical character while adapting it for a new use.
Community impact and timeline
Developers say the scheme will provide a new family attraction for Forest Hill, increase footfall in the town centre, and secure the long-term future of one of the area's best-known historic buildings. No opening date has yet been announced, although planning documents show that development officially began in June 2026. Restoration works are continuing while remaining planning conditions are discharged.
