Ladywell Fields’ Popular Café Secures Full Alcohol Licence Following Successful Revamp

A revitalized café in the heart of Ladywell Fields has officially been granted a full premises licence, marking a new chapter for the community hub. The approval, handed down by Lewisham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee last Wednesday, August 26, allows the venue to serve beer and wine throughout the week, cementing its status as a destination for local families and park-goers.

Fields Cafe, which reopened to the public on June 1 following a year-long closure, is the latest venture from local entrepreneurs Joel and Alina Falconer. The couple, who are well-known in the area for their successful management of Cafe Oscar’s, the restaurant Wilson’s, and the sustainable shop Plenty, took over the site after winning a contract from Glendale, the firm responsible for managing Lewisham’s green spaces.

The transition from the site’s former identity—the Ten Thousand Hands Café, operated for over a decade by the Jimmy Mizen Foundation—involved a significant community-led effort. The new owners raised over £30,000 via a successful Crowdfunder campaign, which financed extensive refurbishments, including new kitchen equipment and the creation of a landscaped, all-weather covered courtyard.

During the busy summer months, the venue operated under Temporary Event Notices (TENs) to gauge demand and ensure seamless service. Following the committee’s decision, the café is now permitted to serve alcohol daily: from 12pm to 6pm on weekdays and until 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

During the licensing hearing, Joel Falconer emphasized that the venue remains, first and foremost, a café. “Over 50 per cent of our sales are food; we’re absolutely not a drinking establishment,” he explained to committee members. “Alcohol is only really served as an adjunct to the food that we serve… and that’s really the principal purpose of the licence.”

Mr. Falconer also highlighted the positive reception from the local community, noting that the café has hosted a diverse crowd of families and friends without any incidents of anti-social behavior. “The park has never been busier, and it’s a welcoming and friendly environment,” he added.

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted the application after deliberating that the proposed hours were “modest” and appropriate for a park setting. With this permanent licence now in place, the Fields Cafe is set to continue its role as a key social anchor for the Ladywell community, offering a blend of street food, coffee, and refreshments in a revitalized setting.