The pub, its garden, the cottage and gymnasium at the rear (which used to be part of the bar) was sold freehold last July, to new owners. Formerly The Noble Art, the pub's boxing gym at the rear has not been closed down yet. Famously, Cassius Clay stayed in rooms above the pub in the sixties.

In a recent interview with the outgoing publican in Camden New Journal (Catherine Etoe), the soaring costs of maintaining a grade II listed building are so great that beer alone will not provide sufficient revenue. The listing includes part of the bar interior at ground level.

At present, no planning application has been submitted for any development and the pub is likely to remain shut for some time. Development is likely to involve new residential units at the rear with vehicle and emergency access in place of the garden we are sitting in now. Underpinning to adjacent party walls on the sloping site and traffic controls would be major hurdles any proposals must overcome. Alternatively a new access from the rear of Maitland Park might be re-established, providing a new pedestrian and cycle route connecting Hampstead with Queen's crescent , an urban connection conspicuously absent in modern times.  (Alternatively still, any new residential development could be car free).

to be continued.........

15-12-00
PLANNING APPLICATION NO. PEX 0000969
LISTED BUILDING APPLICATION NO LEX 00970
CASE OFFICER JOHN DAVEY
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