After a long fought campaign from the local pressure group, The Friends of Deptford Library, the local authority agreed not to sell the building for redevelopment but to remain in community usage and in March 1994 Lewisham Arthouse moved in.

During the first year the Arthouse members assisted with 2000 community hours through the Probation Service, providing £80,000 worth of renovation. The building is voluntarily maintained by Arthouse members through a work hours scheme.