◊ Ever since Wetherspoons sold the site in 2019, it has been likely that the Crown & Sceptre on Streatham Hill would be a target for development because of its sizeable car park and garden. It is a purpose-built pub, still with much of its decorative Trumans tiling intact. Over the last few years It has drifted on, with a spell as a Portuguese bar, but now plans have been filed with Lambeth Council for a substantial redevelopment. The developers say that the plan is intended to ‘enhance the existing pub’ but, in fact, it sees part of it being demolished and the remainder surrounded by blocks containing what the developers describe as ‘117 high quality non-self-contained co-living units’. Comments closed on 13 July, having been extended from 18 June. CAMRA’s South West London branch has objected.
◊ Some sites seem never to be able to find a permanent identity. What was the South End Green Social and previously the Cork & Bottle in Hampstead has now reopened as the Fleet Tavern. It has been taken on by the Stanley Pubs group who operate several pubs in the area, including the Tufnell Park Tavern. They say that they have always wanted a pub near the Heath. The pub will feature rotating cask ales and an affordable menu of Mediterranean style food. It will be music free. There have been some alterations but most of the pub’s historic fixtures have been preserved. There has been a pub on this site since 1721 with the current wedge-shaped building dating from 1904. We wish them well.
◊ One of the benefits of a pub being owned by its community is that they can do something constructive with their profits. The shareholders in the Ivy House in Nunhead set up a charitable foundation in 2025 and this now manages their fundraising activities and their support of local charities. Their latest donation was of £1,000 to the Southwark branch of Little Village baby banks, which help young children living in poverty by providing clothes, toys and baby equipment. It is one of the Mayor of Southwark’s charities and the Mayor, Councillor Claire Sheppard, was present when the cheque was handed over. That wouldn’t have happened if the pub had been turned into a block of flats.
◊ The Kenley Hotel dates from the 19th century and has several attractive features, including curved window glass, an original stained-glass window and decorative pillars. It closed in July 2025 while owners Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken UK) looked for a new licensee. It was also reported that they had put the pub up for sale. Given the uncertainty, local residents, led by KENDRA (the Kenley & District Residents’ Association), became concerned for the future of the pub and so successfully petitioned the Borough of Croydon to list it as an Asset of Community Value. KENDRA are also setting up a community benefit society with a view to buying the freehold of the pub, although they fully realise that this will not be simple or quick. They are starting by holding public meetings over the summer to raise support. They have approached Star Pubs & Bars but still await a reply.
◊ The Orchard in Ruislip, a former Beefeater that closed at the end of 2023 is a handsome ‘brewer’s Tudor’ building that, during the war, was used as accommodation for Polish aircrew stationed nearby. Last year, the supermarket chain Lidl submitted a planning application to Hillingdon Council for it to be demolished and replaced with a supermarket. This met with considerable opposition from local residents and the application was rejected. Lidl are now trying again. This time they are trying to meet with the Ruislip Residents’ Association to discuss their plans prior to submitting a new application. It’s good of them to consult first but I suspect that it won’t change the residents’ feelings on the matter.
◊ Another pub that appears to be having problems establishing itself is the White Hart in Stoke Newington. It operated as an Antic pub until February 2025 when it was repossessed, then reopened under new operators a month later but has now been repossessed again and the building has been secured. It is understood that Stonegate hold the head lease and were responsible for both closures.
◊ I am pleased to report that an out-of-court settlement has been reached in the Whitewebbs Toby Carvery case. Readers will recall that owners Mitchell & Butlers felled a 500-year-old oak tree without permission. The resulting row led to Enfield Council starting legal action to terminate M&B’s lease on the site. Now M&B have agreed to pay compensation. The amount has not been divulged but it will sufficient to support the council’s Enfield Chase Landscape Restoration scheme, which is London’s largest tree-planting project. This will include the re-establishment of a community orchard on the Ridgeway. M&B said, “We recognise that the felling of a well-loved veteran tree within the grounds of the Toby Carvery, Whitewebbs, has upset many local people, and we fully understand the strength of feeling this has caused. Mitchells & Butlers again, sincerely apologises for the upset this has caused.” M&B and the Council have agreed to work together to ensure the health and safety of the public. Both parties now consider the matter closed.
◊ Rather disappointingly, Thornbridge & Co have admitted that they only installed six handpumps instead of the usual ten at the Wild Swan in Holborn (EC4A 1ES) because they thought that London was ‘not really a cask ale city’. They expected cask ale to be 10% of sales but instead sales have exceeded 25%. Well done, you London drinkers!
