New leaseholders to take on ‘illegally destroyed’ Carlton Tavern

07-Jan-2021 - Last updated on 07-Jan-2021 at 10:59 GMT

Ongoing process: work to rebuild the Carlton Tavern started in the summer of 2017

Related tags Property law London Maida vale Carlton tavern

A London pub that was 'illegally knocked down' will reopen this year after new leaseholders have been found.

In 2016, Westminster City Council won its battle to have the Carlton Tavern in Kilburn, north-west London, rebuilt after developer CTLX reduced it to rubble in April 2015 without planning permission.

The five-day enquiry took place in May 2016, after the developers tried to fight an enforcement order the council originally placed on it to rebuild the pub – with evidence heard from local campaign groups, residents, councillors and Historic England.

The planning inspector dismissed the appeals lodged by the developers and ruled in favour of the council, giving CLTX two years to rebuild the pub.

Enforcement notice

At the time, the council said the pub was being considered for Grade II-listing and the inspector agreed it was “highly likely it would have been listed had it not been demolished”.

The council served an enforcement notice to the developers, requiring the rebuilding of the community pub “brick by brick”.

Work to rebuild the pub began in August 2017 with it now set to be completed and reopening in the spring (subject to coronavirus restrictions).

Social post

A post on the Rebuild the Carlton Tavern Facebook page on 4 January said: “Dear community – update as promised.

“I am delighted to say Geoff (councillor) and I met with the new leaseholders of Carlton Tavern. We found the business partners to be a ‘dream team’ with the right experience and business vision to meet our needs and have our full support.

“Both are local lads with local connections, they have wide experience in running English pubs. What’s more, they intend to use local suppliers such as breweries and distilleries.

“Most importantly, they reached out to us (they didn’t have to) as they are looking to engage, cater and accommodate to us as a community, meeting the needs of all.

“We shared some contacts especially sports clubs and local housing committees for the new leaseholders to engage with.

"Next steps: Lease of basement and pub (including garden and “function” room) for 20 years is underway (legal to be complete by end of January)

"Refurb toilets and electrics for eight weeks taking us to early March.

"Pending Covid Restriction – Opening soft launch in March followed by bigger event with live band and media around April 2021 (Covid pending, will update you on dates as we have them).

“We wish them all the very best and will provide our full support.

“CTLX still want to turn top floors to flats (council turned it down once. We need to object I will share new link as soon as I have it. It is not currently on the Westminster Planning site.

“Site registration of “community asset” now expired (five years) so I have started the process to register it again. This will make it difficult for CTLX to turn top floors into flats. Regardless we will object and seek of many of you who live in the local area to support.”