The business, co-founded by Kara-Jessica and Seb, secured a permanent location at the Duke of Catford Pub in January 2025, which they described as a dream come true after their brief tenancy at Catford Mews.
However, on Instagram, Kara-Jessica and Seb said their time at the pub would end on March 16, stating: “We didn’t think we’d be in this position again, especially so soon, and it’s heartbreaking.
“We really felt like we were starting to build community here with the events we were putting on.
“At the moment, we’re not sure what the future holds for us.”
Tanio Pizza began in the communal garden of Kara-Jessica and Seb’s flat in Sydenham during lockdown after Seb lost his job due to COVID-19.
With the support of his wife, Kara-Jessica, they quickly started selling pizzas to friends, family, and neighbours.
In October 2024, Lewisham Council closed Catford Mews, managed by Really Local Group (RGL), after revealing that the building’s management had accumulated significant arrears exceeding £650,000.
RGL also owned Peckham Levels and the Ealing Project, which went into administration.
One of RGL’s branches, Really Local Group (Broadway) Ltd, entered liquidation after it was revealed that it owed nearly £2 million to creditors.
The closure of Catford Mews had a devastating impact on Tanio Pizza’s business and the co-founders’ finances, as they had left their jobs to manage the company full-time.
The married co-founders said: “We had sacrificed so much to make the leap to have our first permanent home.”
While Tanio Pizza received some support from the Council, the co-founders said it was not enough.
Kara-Jessica and Seb added: “It was difficult to get in direct contact with the Council at first, but we did reach them eventually.
“They did give us some funds, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to cover our bills for the month, let alone until the end of the year.”
Lewisham Council acknowledged the hardships faced by businesses at Catford Mews due to the sudden closure but explained that, for legal reasons, they could not inform sub-tenants or Catford Mews employees about the repossession, as it was the tenant’s responsibility (Really Local Group).
Councillor Ese Erheriene, Lewisham Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills, said: “To help mitigate the impact of this, the Council stepped in to support several of Really Local Group’s sub-tenants with funding following the initial closure as well as offering support to trade in other locations with access to additional investment.
“These traders have continued to receive support since the closure.
“The Council and CRPL continue to offer advice and guidance to traders impacted from the closure.”
Recognising that they needed financial assistance, the business owners turned to their community for help through crowdfunding.
Kara-Jessica and Seb said: “The community really came through and we were blown away by their generosity.”
According to Crowdfunder UK, Tanio – whose name translates to ‘ignite’ in Welsh as a nod to Seb’s Welsh heritage – raised £4,785 in just 28 days.
Before Duke of Catford’s closure, the co-founders expressed their commitment to the community: “One thing that we know for sure is that we really want to be a staple part of the local community.”
Now, Tanio Pizza is once again on the hunt for a new home.
We reached out to the Duke of Catford pub but did not receive a response.
