A campaign to save Bermondsey pub The Winnicott from redevelopment into flats has been won.
Two separate planning applications were put forward to redevelop The Winnicott – formerly known as the Old Justice – in Bermondsey Wall East.
But the proposals to turn the three-storey building, which houses a vacant pub, into flats have been refused.
Liberal Democrat Riverside ward councillors launched a campaign to get the pub listed as an asset of community value.
They have now joined forces with the South East London branch for the Campaign for Real Ale to also apply for Historic England status.
The 1930s pub is steeped in history, having been the site 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.
“We spent August knocking on doors with our petition and had residents running after us, asking to sign it,” said Cllr Al-Samerai.
“We gathered over 200 signatures and heard so many lovely stories about the history of the pub and its place in our community.
“People told us that the pub was where they had met future husbands, had first drinks, and celebrated birthdays and events such as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 and the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981.
“We are very pleased that the planning application has been refused, but there is still work to do as the owner may appeal or try again.”
Members of the South East London branch for CAMRA will hold a protest outside the pub on Saturday, September 30, meeting at 12.30pm. They plan to hire a judge’s costume for a ‘justice for the Old Justice’ theme and have invited the councillors and MP for the area.