1. To raise awareness of examples of outstanding pub conversions and restorations, thus stimulating interest in visiting and enjoying them. There are eleven pubs in the London area that have interiors of outstanding architectural or design quality in a building that was not previously used as a pub. These range from basic to those that glory in the splendour of their surroundings. In the City, there are old banking halls to marvel at, such as the Crosse Keys near Liverpool Street, a palatial Wetherspoon\u2019s in the 1913 HQ of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. It is a sumptuous building filled with marble, tile and mosaic flooring and Doric columns topped by spectacular domed skylights. Similarly the Old Bank of England, at the top of Fleet Street, is the site of, you guessed it, the old Bank of England premises built in 1888 and sensitively refurbished. Murals reference the rich history of the area and there are ornate high ceilings and chandeliers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At a less grand scale, the Jerusalem Tavern in Clerkenwell is a merchant\u2019s house dated 1719 which became a coffee shop and was converted by St Peter\u2019s Brewery into a three-roomed pub that recreates an 18th century tavern. It has a well preserved wooden shop front while the decor is wooden floors and plain walls, with wooden chairs and tables, all done in a nicely understated way that delivers genuine pub atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Out\nof town, the Leyton Technical occupies a building in the Victorian classical\nstyle that was originally built as a technical college and then became Leyton Town\n Hall. It is a first rate restoration by Antic\nwith several rooms with interesting features, plus some mosaic flooring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Partridge in Bromley is in a former NatWest bank, now a Fuller\u2019s pub retaining many original features including the high ceilings and chandeliers. This classy conversion includes a gorgeous bar back and small snugs off the main bar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The eleven pubs under consideration include several Samuel Smith\u2019s houses This company has done a wondrous job of restoring several pubs to their former glory. Perhaps the best is the Fitzroy Tavern in Fitzrovia. The building started life as a coffee house and became a pub in the late 1800s. It has been returned to close its original pub condition in a fantastic transformation. A large island bar serves six drinking areas with screens, some connected internally. There is a profusion of etched glass, mirrors, tiles and wood panelling. The pub has a distinctly bohemian history, frequented by literary figures, artists, musicians, politicians and many other notables. Another Samuel Smith\u2019s pub on the list is the Crown & Sugar Loaf, just off Fleet Street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another good example is one of only three Harvey\u2019s\nhouses in London.\nThe Royal Oak\nat Borough has been carefully restored to how it might have been as a Victorian\ncorner pub. Two bare-boarded bars are separated by an off sales area. The\npartitions have good quality glass and bar fittings. Prints and old photographs\nadorn the traditional interior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. To inspire pub owners and others to pursue excellence when converting or restoring buildings for pub use.
3. To thereby establish yardsticks against which future pub conversions and restorations can be judged.
4. To help protect identified pubs from unsympathetic changes.
5. To contribute to CAMRA\u2019s wider objective of generating enthusiasm for pub-going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/image-9.png\")
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