A historic pub in Forest Hill has swapped pints for ball pits, reopening as a children’s soft play centre after a £1.3 million redevelopment.
The Grade II-listed Capitol building on London Road, which most recently operated as a J D Wetherspoon pub, began its latest chapter in October as Gambado Forest Hill.
The new venue features a large soft-play structure, ball pits, climbing frames and dedicated party rooms, giving families in the area a new place to spend time together.
Jonathan Laznik, director of Happiness Corp, the company behind the centre, said: “The Capitol is a fantastic building with a great deal of history, and we’re excited to give it a new purpose for families in Forest Hill and the surrounding area.”
He added: “Our existing play centres have shown us how valuable these venues can be for local communities.”
“The support from Lloyds has allowed us to take on a much larger and more ambitious redevelopment, creating an exciting space where children can play and families can spend time together.”
“We’re delighted to have opened the doors and look forward to welcoming families from across the local area as we continue to grow the business.”
The redevelopment was supported by a £1.3 million loan from Lloyds. Planning permission was granted in early 2026, with preliminary works beginning in May, and the funding helped the business complete the refurbishment and fit-out.
Lee Armstrong, Relationship Manager at Lloyds, said: “Jonathan has built a successful portfolio of children’s play centres and has a strong track record in the sector.”
He added: “This redevelopment will bring an important local landmark back into productive use and create a new destination for families in Forest Hill. We’re proud to support Happiness Corp’s ambitions and help the group take the next step in its growth.”
The building first opened on London Road in 1929, and its latest transformation aims to serve a new generation in the community. The Capitol’s white-tiled frontage and grand proportions have made it a familiar landmark in Forest Hill for nearly a century.
In addition to serving as a play centre, Happiness Corp intends to partner with schools and community groups to offer organised activities for children.
Gambado Forest Hill is the fifth venue in the company’s portfolio, which includes Gambado Chelsea, Topsy Turvy World, Game Over London in Brent Cross and Clowntown at the Coppetts Centre in North London.
Mr Laznik previously worked in property investment before moving into the children’s leisure sector, and plans to continue expanding the business.
Historic pubs finding new uses is a familiar story across London. In Kentish Town, the historic Pineapple pub was sold to an award-winning group, while in Elephant and Castle, a new M&S Foodhall opened with more than 60 jobs as part of the area’s regeneration.
