Goldsmiths plans new campus at Old Town Hall in Catford
The university's plans will bring over 600 students to Catford town centre, in a partnership agreement with Lewisham council.
Goldsmiths, University of London plans to open a new campus in Catford and move into Lewisham's Old Town Hall, in what has been dubbed a “landmark partnership agreement” with the council.
The university’s Fine Art and Design courses will be relocated to the new venue, in a move which will bring more than 600 students to Catford town centre.
Goldsmiths is expected to enter a 10-year lease with Lewisham council, while work to prepare the Old Town Hall for the university will begin in autumn 2026.
The council has said that staff and services currently based there will be moving to alternative locations, including Laurence House.
Lewisham mayor Brenda Dacres and the cabinet are expected to formally approve the plans on Wednesday 21 January.
The council hopes the move will revitalise the town centre and boost the economy, increase footfall and create opportunities for businesses.
Goldsmiths approached the council because it needed to find a space to replace its use of the former Lewisham College site near Deptford Bridge, which is earmarked for redevelopment.
Goldsmiths need to vacate the site by July 2027.
The report to cabinet states that Goldsmiths is keen to stay in the borough and believes Catford to be the only suitable location in Lewisham which can accommodate its requirements.
The university's requirements include around 6,000sqm of space for its post graduate design and fine art department, for a period of about 10 years from September 2027.
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Brenda Dacres said: “This is a powerful example of what long-term partnership can achieve. Bringing Goldsmiths into the heart of Catford is not just about a new campus – it’s about anchoring creativity, learning and opportunity in our town centre.
“By working together, we’re creating the conditions for Catford to thrive: supporting local businesses, attracting new visitors, and opening up opportunities for residents to connect with one of the UK’s leading creative universities.
"This is a major step forward in our vision for Catford as a vibrant place to live, work, study and spend time.”
The influx of students will bring new pressures on housing in Catford, which are not directly addressed in the report. It states:
"There are considerable benefits that will result from [the plan], including improved business viability through greater local spend, spill over impacts for workspace and student housing potential.
"However, it will also mean the aspired housing delivery on Council controlled sites will be made more challenging in the short term."
The council had planned to use The Old Town Hall as its base for council staff, and to release Laurence house for residential housing, but this will no longer be possible.
In addition, there has been intensive development of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Deptford, which will be not be convenient for the Goldsmiths students based in Catford.
The report notes the uncertainly around the funding for the rerouting of the A205 South Circular, but confirms that the council is pressing on with other projects that are part of the Catford town centre regeneration plan.
The council completed the refurbishment of The Catford House (formerly Catford Constitutional Club) in November 2025.
It plans to start "enabling work" on site at Thomas Lane Yard during 2026. The development will provide 133 (100%) affordable homes.
Goldsmiths cancelled its plans for an Enterprise hub on New Cross Road and is selling off its buildings there.
Reporting by Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter, additional reporting by Dorothy Stein.
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