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Capitol, Forest Hill

Please note this Pub is closed 15/10/2023 and became Permanently Closed 16/10/2026 (Creche, day nursery or day centre). Wetherspoon closed this venue on 15 October 2023 and surrendered its lease. Planning application approved in Jan 2026 (DC/25/140146) for conversion to a children's play centre. Within their report, the planning officer acknowledged insufficient pub marketing evidence had been provided by the owner, but planners were nonetheless content that sufficient site specific factors made the loss of pub use acceptable. These factors included the fact the premises were not originally built as a pub, are significantly larger than the average London pub, and a market-leading UK pub operator (ie. JDW) had vacated the site. The Gambado soft play centre opened on 16/10/2026.

Capitol, Forest Hill

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Operator: Wetherspoon

11-21 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3TW (View on Google Map)

Outstanding pub conversion

Exterior street view. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 31-08-2013

Historical photo display in foyer. (Bar). Published on 13-10-2023

Wetherpoon unique carpet pattern for Capitol. (Bar). Published on 13-10-2023

Where the cinema screen would have been. (Bar). Published on 15-07-2023

The front entrance steps up from the old cinema foyer. (Bar). Published on 15-07-2023

View of the old cinema circle. (Bar). Published on 15-07-2023

The pub's unique carpet pattern. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

The bar upper level floor. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

The old cinema ticket office in the foyer. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

Close up of Upper Circle balcony adornment. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

Dartboards. (Pub). Published on 16-10-2022

The double dartboard oches. (Bar). Published on 16-10-2022

The upper level with old cinema circle above. (Bar). Published on 16-10-2022

Bar counter. (Bar). Published on 16-10-2022

This Pub is Permanently Closed

Placed up for sale by Wetherspoon September 2022 with 31 others.

Close to the Horniman Museum, this spacious Wetherspoon pub occupies a converted 1929 Art Deco cinema, the only surviving complete cinema building by noted architect John Stanley Beard. An impressive frontage opens into a cavernous interior on a number of levels. Tours of the circle and other normally unseen areas are offered by arrangement; resident ghosts may be in attendance.

There is assorted seating on three levels and a long bar across the former stage area which is equipped with 10 handpumps in 2 banks, each of 5.

Community events are hosted. Book ahead for parties and groups.

Unusually for a Wetherspoon house it had two well appointed darts oches, latterly just one.

Historic Interest

1929 Art Deco cinema designed by J. Stanley Beard. Last film screened: Scarecrow, ft. Gene Hackman and Al Pacino.

Information for this venue is provided by the South East London Branch of CAMRA

Previous Names
Local Authority: Lewisham
Last updated: 18/10/2026
Last surveyed: 14/07/2025
Leasehold owner: unknown
Freehold owner: Trafalgar (FH) Ltd.
Pub ID: SEL/10817
Asset of Community Value

Conversion

Close to the Horniman Museum, this spacious Wetherspoon's occupies a converted 1929 Art Deco cinema, the only surviving complete cinema building by noted architect John Stanley Beard. An impressive frontage opens into a cavernous interior on a number of levels. Tours of the circle and other normally unseen areas are offered by arrangement. There is seating on three levels and a long bar across the former stage.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations

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Capitol, Forest Hill

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