Lewisham’s Labour Mayor and Cabinet have approved the contract for the building and operation of a new eco café in Mountsfield Park. The café, which is due to open later this year, will also include a new community space and accessible toilets to the park which links Hither Green to Catford.

The café, designed by Lewisham-based architects Foster Perpatido, will be constructed with sustainable timber, and feature a biodiversity-promoting living roof. Social value is a key part of the project – all employees will be paid at least the London Living Wage, as well as being offered training and development opportunities.

The sustainable café is the latest Lewisham Labour green initiative, as part of the work to ensure the borough reaches net-zero emissions by 2030. Other green measures include an £800 million pension fund fossil fuel divestment, planting 24,000 new trees, and retrofitting schools, adult learning centres, and other Council buildings with renewable heating and hot water systems.

Labour Councillor Patrick Codd, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:

“Lewisham Labour are committed to tackling the climate crisis – we were one of the first local authorities to declare a climate emergency in 2019 and are committed to reaching net-zero by 2030. The environment is front-and-centre of everything we do and our commitment to the new eco café in Mountsfield Park reflects this – working with the café owners to provide a fantastic community space, London Living Wage jobs, and accessible facilities in a sustainable, green, and environmentally conscious manner.”

“Lewisham Labour have also worked tirelessly to improve our parks, which are now the best London, according to the latest Good Parks for London report. The new Mountsfield Park eco café will further enhance our “outstanding” green spaces, and shows that Lewisham is undoubtably greener with Labour.”