Most of our pub news is contained in the WhatPub Update. Here I am highlighting certain stories which readers may find of deeper interest and/or concern.
- Alas, another ‘Trojan horse’ case to report. The Acorn in Haggerston, a beautiful Victorian pub, was demolished in 2020 but the development included a ground floor unit intended to be a replacement pub. As is the way of these things, this did not happen and, in August, Tower Hamlets Council approved a change of use from sui generis drinking establishment to retail shop (Use Class E(a)).
- I am pleased to report that Ealing council has listed the Black Horse in North Greenford (UB6 0AS) as an Asset of Community Value. The listing was proposed by a group called Protect the Black Horse, set up by the MP for Ealing North, James Murray. CAMRA’s Paul Ainsworth along with the West Middlesex branch were also involved. The pub, which stands alongside the Grand Union canal and has a large landscaped garden, is owned by Fuller’s. Mr Murray started the campaign last year in response to rumours circulating locally that the pub was to be sold. In July 2021 he raised a petition to Fuller’s with over 1,000 signatures and over 80 people attended a meeting in March 2022 which led to the formation of the group. Fuller’s say that they have no plans to sell but included the caveat that they ‘review their estate on a regular basis’.
- An odd situation has arisen with the Brendan the Navigator on Highgate Hill. In July, planning permission was granted by Islington Council for the ‘construction of five (3 x 3 bed and 2 x 2 bed) self-contained dwelling houses (C3 use)’ on the pub’s car park. This also included the partial demolition and reconfiguration of the pub’s external terrace. Apart from reducing the outside space available to the pub, there must be a possibility that the building of houses so close to the pub will lead to complaints about noise.
- Welcome to what is claimed to be the largest pub in London, if not in England. BrewDog Waterloo opened in August in part of the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station called the Sidings, underneath platforms 20 to 24. More of an ‘entertainment experience’ than a traditional pub, it offers many features and it is probably best if I leave readers to explore it for themselves.
- An unfortunate situation has arisen at the Compton Arms in Canonbury. The pub, which dates from the 1800s, is famous for having once been a regular haunt of the author George Orwell and is believed to be at least part of the inspiration for his ideal pub, the Moon Under Water. Islington Council are conducting a review of the pub’s premises licence following a complaint from four nearby residents who claim that it is a public nuisance and a danger to health and have reportedly accused the owners of poor management and piling rubbish outside. These claims are vigorously disputed by the pub’s owners and management. The pub is independently owned, having been sold by Greene King in 2017. One theory put forward is that the neighbours involved moved into their properties during the pandemic lockdown and are now unhappy that the pub has returned to full use, although one would have thought that this could have been foreseen as inevitable. The case has attracted a great deal of attention in the press, mostly because of the Orwell connection. CAMRA’s North London branch has made a submission in favour of the pub, as have a number of members as individuals. Both local MPs, Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn, are also supporting the pub. The case will be heard by Islington Council’s licensing sub-committee in the week commencing 19 September which means that we will not know the outcome before we go to print. It is unlikely that the pub’s premises licence will be revoked but conditions might be imposed which would seriously affect the pub’s viability. The outcome will be reported in the next edition.
- There is still uncertainty as to the fate of the Crown & Sceptre, a distinctive former Truman’s pub dating from 1822 at the top of Streatham Hill. Sold by Wetherspoon’s in 2019, it traded successfully for a while under its new owners until May this year when it closed. The ground floor, basement and part of the first floor (including the kitchen) are being offered for short term lease by estate agents Savill’s. The remaining part of the first floor and the second floor, which are not included in the offer, contain nine bedrooms. At the time of writing no planning applications had been registered.
- A former bank in Vanbrugh Park has been converted into a pub, the Green Goddess, by the Common Rioters Beer Company. They have installed a microbrewery.
- The Junction in Coldharbour Lane, a popular music pub, has closed. Initially, the landlords, Manlon Properties Ltd, refused to grant a new lease although they have since relented. However, the deal that they were offering, understood to include restrictions on opening hours as well as increased rent, was not one that the pub’s operators felt able to accept. It is understood that they are looking for alternative premises. There have been previous attempts to develop the site into flats and it is assumed that this will be tried again.
- Wetherspoon’s, having closed the New Moon in Kenton, have applied to convert it back to its 1991 use – a supermarket. West Middlesex Branch has objected.
- The Royal George in Hersham is the latest former Young’s tenancy to be leased to the Big Smoke Brewery by Punch Pubs. Big Smoke took over as from 1 August.
- There are concerns for the future of the White Swan in Charlton (SE7 8UD), a handsome late Victorian pub which closed in March 2020. The pub is owned by Mendoza Limited, a property developer based in the Isle of Man, as are, coincidentally, the owners of the Junction mentioned above. Mendoza reportedly bought the freehold from the then Punch Taverns in 2015 for £900,000. In late July it was reported that part of the ground floor ceiling had collapsed. On 17 August, Mendoza applied to Greenwich Council as follows: ‘Change of Use of first-floor from Public House (Sui Generis) to 2×2 bedroom residential units (Use Class C3) and associated works’. In 2020 agents had already been advertising for a new tenant for the ground floor and basement alone, at a rent believed to be £40,000 per annum rent. Curiously, in November 2020, Greenwich Council gave permission for a three bedroom house to be built on part of the pub’s beer garden but no work has yet started.
- News from further afield. The Lamb & Flag in Oxford (OX1 3JS), famous for its associations with JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, has been taken over by a community group called the Inklings, named after the group to which the authors belonged. The pub is being renovated and should be ready to open in September or October, in time for the new University term.