The neighbourhood of Catford, thought of by some as a tired corner of south London, is undergoing major regeneration initiatives. An already safe suburban inlet, families have been drawn to the area for years for its plethora of green space and affordable housing. Beyond the beautiful Victorian terraced houses though, there are also many more modest blocks of flats as well as incoming luxury housing developments. Despite the small-town family-oriented feel, some young professionals are beginning to discover the area as well. Between its attractive Riverview Walk that’s great for jogs and bike rides, and its eclectic fibreglass cat sculpture above the shopping centre, Catford has a unique character that is worth checking out. On a typical night, you might find twenty-somethings testing their knowledge at Catford Constitutional Club’s pub quiz, or working parents running errands on bustling Rushey Green. With all that it has to offer, as well as the convenient rail connections, it’s no wonder that investors are paying close attention to the area.

It is believed that the neighbourhood of Catford got its name from wild cats that used to frequent the area. The locality began as a manor, and eventually split into two separate hamlets. However, by the early-19th century, the land began to be built heavily upon. With the arrival of the railway in 1857, middle class families started to flock to the area. The neighbourhood’s old farms were quickly converted into estates and houses. Catford Broadway, the main street, followed suit and became a centre for entertainment - home to a theatre, greyhound stadium and multiple shops. Unfortunately, this lively neighbourhood slipped into economic decline later on in the 20th century. With many vacancies, the council is now looking to initiate major regeneration projects throughout the area.

Catford was once home to one of south London’s most notorious criminal gangs, the Richardsons. Known as the ‘Torture Gang’, they were eventually taken down in 1966 in a local venue in what was referred to as The Battle of Mr Smith’s Club. One of their members, George Cornell, was murdered in the same year by Ronnie Kray as he drank at the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel.

Unfortunately, with the increased development and campaigning to extend the Bakerloo Line, housing prices will likely increase in the area. Still, as of now, the area is relatively affordable, and some of the upcoming developments have committed to providing some subsidised housing.

This area has slowly been receiving more attention from housing developers. The Catford Green development on the former site of the Catford Greyhound Stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, providing 588 new homes. Alternatively, the Bellingham Mews development will provide slightly larger residential properties with their own private gardens along Bellingham Road. Luckily these developments have not inflated property prices too much, with the postcode remaining relatively un-gentrified. Proposed schemes such as Melfield Gardens seek to maintain this character by seeking to provide 32 new social homes by the end of 2023.