An inter-war Bermondsey pub under threat from developers has been Grade II-listed by Historic England.
The status adds an extra layer of protection to the Winnicott, formerly known as the Old Justice, in Bermondsey Wall East, which developer Hamna Wakaf plans to turn into flats.
Anyone wishing to make changes to the interior or exterior of the Brewer’s Tudor-style pub, built in 1933, must now get the council’s permission.
The listing is a victory for campaigners who also hope to get the pub listed as an asset of community value and see it open for business once again in the future.
The South East London branch of CAMRA, which made the application for the listing, found out it had been successful last Thursday, November 23.
Neil Pettigrew, pub protection officer for the branch, told the News: “Everybody was absolutely delighted; we didn’t know if it would be successful or not.
“The pub was very much at risk; the owner’s intention was to rip out all the pub fittings and turn it into private residential accommodation and we were worried they would do just that.
“This whole thing started because the locals didn’t want to lose their pub and there was quite a strong feeling to keep it.
“What we are hoping now is that in the not-too-distant future it will reopen as a pub and perform a function to serve the local people.”
Mr Pettigrew said the pub was designed by “highly-regarded” Sidney Clark – one of the most accomplished pub architects of the inter-war period between WWI and WWII.
“It was built during the 1930s period when there was a great movement to design these pubs and give them cosy, old-world features – wood panelling on the walls, leaded windows, and the whole style, including the exterior, is referred to as Brewer’s Tudor because it looks like an old Tudor building,” he said.
“Inside those pubs were some fabulous features – wonderful woodwork and footrests around the bar, mirrors, a whole host of features – and at the Old Justice most of those were still intact.”
The pub is also where Paul McCartney filmed Give my Regards to Broad Street, and John Thaw and Dennis Waterman filmed Regan – which was the pilot for what would become The Sweeney.
Councillor Anood Al-Samerai, leader of Southwark Liberal Democrats and Riverside ward councillor, said: “Liberal Democrat councillors are delighted that the Winnicott/Old Justice has been listed.
“This is a real victory for the hundreds of local residents who signed our petition and for CAMRA who have been great to work with.
“It gives us another layer of protection from the pub being turned into luxury flats.
“We are now looking at how we can work as a community to get the pub open again and back in use as a community space.”
The News contacted Milan Babic Architects, acting on behalf of Hamna Wakaf, but did not receive a response by the time of going to press.
To view the listing, visit: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1452483