Lewisham Council has awarded £50,000 to the operators of the current temporary café in Mountsfield Park.
The plans for new café have been approved, with construction expected to finish towards the end of this year.
Operators Bright & True will contribute to a new timber-frame café built using sustainable materials.
Brand new accessible toilets will be fitted, while a living green roof and increased community space also feature in the designs.
In the Council’s budget meeting on Wednesday night, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Cllr Codd said: “Our parks overall were recently scored as the best in London in the latest Good Parks for London report.
“These new facilities in Mountsfield Park are a welcome development which I know will attract more visitors to the area and provide a feeling of calm in a relaxed, safe space.”
The contract will be awarded to Bright & True for 15 years under the condition that they provide training and development for all their staff and pay them a minimum of the London living wage.
On top of the Council’s £50,000, Bright & True is contributing a further £400,000 of its own money to the new café and will work with Lewisham-based architects Foster Perpatidou.
Joint-owner of Bright & True Steven Jankowski told the News Shopper: “It’s exciting for us because it’s in the heart of Catford, a beautiful green space in an urban area.
“We’re passionate about sustainability and try to live our lives as locally as possible, so we are keen to ensure the café is sustainable in the long-term and contributes to a greener Lewisham.”
Plans for the new café were initially proposed in the 2019/20 Council budget after consultation with the community raised concerns about the park being underused and feeling unsafe.
Mayor Egan, Leader of The Council, praised the decision and said: “There has been such an improvement to Mountsfield Park.
“It’s got the new children’s play area, big improvements in the landscaping, the meadow, and now a permanent café. It truly has transformed, and I think this café will be the jewel in the crown of the park.”
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