Dear Community,

Our beloved cafe located within the L.A. Sports Club football ground, has recently faced a setback in the form of a refusal for retrospective planning permission. This decision concerns its architectural alignment with metropolitan openland. 

"The Lawnmower Shed" received it's name from the shed from which it was converted - a large, dilapidated and unusable building. We retained the structure in it's entirely and lovingly restored it, upcycling it into a functioning cafe and added shelter provision to the front and side. For the sake of clarity, we're not seeking to make any further changes or alterations - just the consent to keep what is already here.  Refusal of planning consent would result in us having to tear down and reinstate The Lawnmower Shed to it's previous form. 

L.A. Sports Club serves as a hub for over 15 youth football teams and their opponents throughout the football season, which includes girls' grassroots and Junior Premier League teams, and a Kent Youth League team. We're also the host ground for Bromley District Schools Football Association teams and many Tandridge League youth teams. 

These young athletes and their dedicated coaches rely on The Lawnmower for post-match nourishment and refreshment, as well as a place to unwind with their family and friends.

In addition to the football community, our cafe also caters to the needs of local residents, cyclists, and dogwalkers who frequent this area. We've become a meeting point, a place to catch up with friends, and a spot to refuel after a day of outdoor activities. We believe that the cafe's presence enriches the experience of everyone who visits the ground.

If we were forced to close the cafe, and without the funds which the Lawnmower Shed generates, it would no longer be viable to continue to run the club, in particular the maintenance of the pitches. All the many teams that call us "home " would potentially have to relocate in an already underresourced area in terms of available pitches. We are therefore launching this petition to gather support and appeal this decision. Join us in preserving our cafe as a vital community asset. We kindly invite you to lend your voice to this cause by signing the petition. 

Your support will go a long way in helping us appeal the decision and ensure that our cafe continues to thrive and serve you

Please sign and share your support!

Thank you,

L.A. Sports Club