Brady's, Brixton (Railway Hotel): history, chat and plans
- Thread starter citydreams
- Start date
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I do not know myself that much about CPO.
But the main point I meant was the Council say the sale brings in funds for Council. But all it does is recoup the money the Council spent CPO building.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Fair enough. I don't know who the original squatters were. There were two separate periods of squatting though I think. I just think it is pretty improbable that builders securing the place would have had the time and/or inclination.
I've also had to go in and make buildings safe / clean up after squatters and burning floors and doors is not uncommon in the places I've been in. One of the 22 flats in Clifton had had floorboards torn up and burned in a neighbouring room's fireplace.
When the Bradys squat was up and running, what sort of community resources were provided?
editor
hiraethified
I'm thinking more of the workmen who used the building for years while work was going on at the tube. A friend popped his head in at the time and it said it looked like a right shithole on there. I'd say they would have been more likely to trash the place than any squatters.
editor
hiraethified
They opened it as a bar/cafe/drop in centre, put on events, films and free talks with local artists and activists.
I spoke at one, where they'd managed to rather impressively get a hotshot German designer over.
It might still not be too late to save the pub.
The developer wants to build flats, he will not consider leasing the ground floor to a pub or music venue (as it was previously) as this would affect the value of the flats.
The property was briefly marketed (over the past 10 days) as a pub and attracted several offers in excess of the £90,000 rent required, but none would be considered. The planning permission about to be granted is for A1 (a shop). The landlord is in negotiations to let it to a pound shop. He will make his money from the flats. Once the planning changes to A1 it can never be a pub again.
Lambeth planning decided it was not viable as a pub as it was closed. But it was closed due to the compulsory purchase. It has never been made available to the market as a pub - were it to be there would be many serious opperators interested.
The Developer is prepared to sell the freehold but he wants 2 million - as the building is worth this as flats, not the £779,000 he paid for it as a pub.
The planners will alow it to dissapear into cheap flats (with a railway through the middle) as no one has objected.
The planning officer is Richard McFerran: RMcFerran@Lambeth.gov.uk
It wouldnt take much to save this building and return it to a thriving pub - but the community need to show that this is what they want, and object to the planning application. Lambeth have a stated policy of trying to prevent pubs being converted into flats.
If enough people email the planning officer it could still be stopped, but it would have to happen immediately.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Is there any evidence of the several offers above £90K?
It would be possible for the freeholder to say none of the offers were from suitable tenants - but hard if a successful group like Antic offered. Seems like a great spot for Antic. They could openly and publicly make an offer.
It would be possible for the freeholder to say none of the offers were from suitable tenants - but hard if a successful group like Antic offered. Seems like a great spot for Antic. They could openly and publicly make an offer.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
They have invested in several. Effra Rd, Railton Rd (Harmony), Bug Bar (St Matthews Church) and maybe Coldharbour. Brady's would suit their portfolio very nicely.
But even if not interested, my point is it would be good to have a public offer from an economically credible potential tenant, whoever that may be.
Personally, I'd rather that not all drinking establishments ended up in one company's hand - but if the alternative is a pound shop then, great!
Interesting. I went to view it last year when it was being marketed as a pub/restaurant. The place was in a terrible state. It had been gutted, everything that moved had been taken out or destroyed, including the majority of the parque floor. We concluded it It would have taken at least £100k to refurbish the place, and three months work before you could open the doors. It would only have been viable to do if you could have control of the upper floors (to rent out as offices, rehearsal spaces, studios etc), which are rat infested and open to the sky in one or two places. The freeholder though was not willing to let out both the ground and upper floors together. Then there was no permission in place that would have allowed for the creation of flats so we came to the conclusion the freeholder was attempting demonstrate the space was no longer viable as a pub, allowing them to seek permission to build flats on the site. It seems this is exactly what has transpired. It's hard to believe when Brixton is turning into the entertainment capital of South London they never received a credible offer to open the place as a bar/restaurant, or that anyone will want to live with a railway line running through their bedroom. The place could easily remain empty for some time to come.
Disastronaut
New Member
I don't think its viable for residental - even trainspotters would hate it as editor mentions above... and although i can't comment officially for Antic I know that they've looked at it several times, possibly made offers and its just not happened.
I would love to open a club there. no question.
I would love to open a club there. no question.
editor
hiraethified
When I first had the idea of Offline I had just two locations in mind as the perfect venues: Cooltan and Bradys. The Alabama3 gigs at Bradys were the stuff of legend.
I am involved in a pub in East London called Sebright Arms. It was boarded up for two years after having been aquired by a developer who wanted to build flats. It was only after he failed to get planning permission that we were able to get hold of it (having claimed that it was not viable as a pub).
We have now been open for a year and the pub is thriving.
I would be very interested in openning Bradys as a pub with live music, but the owner will not consider this as it would not work with the flats above.
editor
hiraethified
I just took a look at your web page. Great to see a pub getting a bit of love and care! Good work
http://www.sebrightarms.co.uk/
Disastronaut
New Member
I loved Cooltan as you know editor and hope that anyone - Sebright would be amazing -
could do that around the corner... with a few more venues like that - Brixton is ground zero best
place for london nightlife... might already be actually.
could do that around the corner... with a few more venues like that - Brixton is ground zero best
place for london nightlife... might already be actually.
All it took to save the Sebright was about 30 locals who wrote to the planners to say they wanted to keep the pub and didnt want it to be converted into flats.
The same could be done for Bradys, but it would have to happen immediately as the planning is about to be decided.
The planning officer is Richard McFerran: RMcFerran@Lambeth.gov.uk
TruXta
tired
I've no problem writing an email, but what needs to be in it apart from "I object to this shite"?
editor
hiraethified
Objection mailed!
TruXta
tired
Did you refer back to a particular application with numbers/details etc?
editor
hiraethified
I haven't got any of that but surely it's better to start a dialogue NOW rather than wait around?
Email sent!
TruXta
tired
Sure, just asking.
el-ahrairah
forward communism, forward gerbils!
i've been in there a couple of times. nice place. not sure about the american themed food though. too many hipsters but it is in bethnal green so *shrug*
editor
hiraethified
Even a hipster-packed pub has got to be better than no pub. The hipsters will move on, but once a pub has turned into lifestyle flats it's gone forever.
