Forest Hill families gain soft‑play centre as Gambado opens in former Capitol pub
The historic Capitol building, a former cinema and Wetherspoon, reopens after a £1.3 million makeover, keeping its mezzanine balcony and proscenium arch.
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The Capitol building on Forest Hill Road has reopened as Gambado Forest Hill soft‑play centre, replacing the Wetherspoon pub that shut its doors in October 2023. The change follows a £1.3 million renovation that added play equipment, ball pits and party rooms while keeping the building’s historic mezzanine balcony and proscenium arch. Families in the Forest Hill neighbourhood now have a new indoor activity venue where the former pub once served cheap pints.
A century of change for the Capitol building
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The neo‑classical Capitol opened as a cinema in 1929, according to the standards desk. In the late 1970s it was repurposed as a bingo hall, a shift that mirrored a national trend of cinema conversions. In 2001 the venue entered a third phase when Wetherspoon took a lease, turning it into a low‑price public house that operated for more than two decades.
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Londonist reported that the Wetherspoon branch survived several rumours of closure before finally shutting in October 2023. A local comment captured the sentiment of regulars: "After working all day I want a fag and a decent pint, not Fassbinder and a fucking flap‑jack". The closure left a gap in affordable social space for the area.
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Renovation and new use
The £1.3 million revamp transformed the interior to accommodate soft‑play facilities, including climbing frames, ball pits and dedicated party rooms. Crucially, the renovation preserved the Capitol’s decorative mezzanine balcony and the original proscenium arch, which remain in good condition. Londonist noted that the historic features were retained "in fine fettle".
What this means for local families
The new centre offers a venue for children’s birthday parties, after‑school play and community events. By replacing a drinking establishment with a family‑focused facility, the site now contributes to local leisure provision without the noise and late‑night activity associated with a pub. Residents can book party rooms directly through Gambado’s website.
Next steps
Gambado Forest Hill is now operating under a licence granted by Lewisham Council, which confirmed the conversion met planning requirements. Heritage groups have been invited to monitor the building’s condition, ensuring the mezzanine balcony and proscenium arch remain protected. The centre will continue to host community events, and its management has pledged to work with local schools for outreach programmes.
Questions this report answers
+When did the soft‑play centre open?
Gambado Forest Hill opened in October 2023 after the former Capitol pub closed the same month. The opening followed a £1.3 million renovation that converted the space into a family‑focused indoor play venue.
+How much was spent on the conversion?
The renovation cost £1.3 million, according to Londonist. The investment covered the installation of play equipment, ball pits, climbing frames and party rooms while preserving the building’s historic mezzanine balcony and proscenium arch.
+What historic features were retained?
The Capitol building’s decorative mezzanine balcony and its original proscenium arch were kept in good condition during the refurbishment. Londonist reported that these elements remain visible and have been maintained as part of the soft‑play centre’s interior.
+What was the building before becoming a soft‑play centre?
The Capitol opened as a cinema in 1929, became a bingo hall in the late 1970s and was operated by Wetherspoon as a pub from 2001 until its closure in October 2023. The latest change repurposes the site for family recreation.
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