George IV/Music Bar at 144 Brixton Hill closing as another Tesco comes to Brixton

[Tricky Skills]

Here's the press release from Save George IV group:

George IV Public House listed as an asset of community value

Lambeth Council yesterday confirmed that the Victorian George IV pub on Brixton Hill, close to Brixton’s recently restored historic windmill, will be the first building in Lambeth to be listed as an asset of community value.

New legislation under the Localism Act means communities can ask the council to list certain assets as being of value to the community. If an asset is listed and then comes up for sale, the new right will give communities 6 months to put together a bid to buy it. This gives communities an increased chance to save much loved shops, pubs or other local facilities.

The lease on the pub is currently held by Tesco who plan to turn it into an Express store. Their planning application for signage and an access ramp was recently deferred by Lambeth Council Planning Committee.

The community bid to list George IV has been backed by local councillors and by local MP and Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna.

Mr Umunna said “Lambeth’s decision to list the George IV site as an asset of community value is fantastic news– we place incredible value on the unique character of our area and this listing shows that. It’s brilliant as the local MP to be in a position to support this listing and there’s been great work done by a huge number of local people including all of the local Brixton Hill Councillors.”

The Save George IV campaign group has collected over 3000 signatures on a petition to save George IV from being taken over by Tesco.

Campaign founder Andrew Child said, "We are thrilled to have achieved this listing, which recognises what this campaign has been saying all along: that this pub was an important community space. Its value to the community will obviously be lost if Tesco presses ahead with plans to turn the George IV into a supermarket.

"It is clear that the local community stands four square behind the campaign. We have more than 3,000 signatures on a petition and this listing has been backed by local councillors as well as local MP and shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna. Tesco, as a result, is looking very isolated.

"We urge Tesco to now seriously reconsider its plans which will do real damage to its brand in this part of London, depriving the local community of a much-valued local pub and adding another supermarket which Chuka Ummuna has described as 'not needed or wanted'. Tesco could instead project a very different image and use its expertise to work with the local community to reopen the George IV as a community pub."

 

[Crispy]

Excellent news. However, 6 months is not long. Do we know what sort of money is needed?

 

[Tricky Skills]

It's brilliant news, but it may be that the opportunity doesn't even come along. The Right to Bid only kicks in if the owner wants to sell either the freehold or the lease. It does send an incredibly powerful message to Tesco however as to how communities can fight back. It's not a party political issue, but the support of the Shadow Business Secretary is pretty impressive. I would think that the best hope is that Tesco sees the level of local opposition and has second thoughts - probably not for any moral reason, but in pure business terms.

 

[slcr]

"We urge Tesco to now seriously reconsider its plans which will do real damage to its brand in this part of London, depriving the local community of a much-valued local pub and adding another supermarket which Chuka Ummuna has described as 'not needed or wanted'. Tesco could instead project a very different image and use its expertise to work with the local community to reopen the George IV as a community pub."[/quote]

... a Tesco-pub?

 

[leanderman]

This has been my point all along: Tesco already has the lease, and can do what it wants.

The listing works only if Tesco wants to sell the lease, which it doesn't.

Our approach in Leander Road, over the Sainsbury at Carpetright, is to work with the 'enemy', to deliver pedestrian improvements.

It will probably fail as well

 

[TheBrixtonBoy]

Soon we will have a tesco on every street corner. It is depressing.. A community project with viable accommodation above will work

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Soon we will have a tesco on every street corner. It is depressing.. A community project with viable accommodation above will work

Not in Brixton Hill we won't. Sainsbury's have them all nabbed (well, not the corners, but ykwim)

 

[newbie]

Soon we will have a tesco on every street corner. It is depressing.

it is, but is it more or less depressing than this?

The corner shop nearest the George IV is having its alcohol licence reviewed after a council team discovered it had sold booze to a child, stocked non duty-paid alcohol and employed a visa overstayer.

It was closed yesterday.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

it is, but is it more or less depressing than this?

I never actually ever saw anyone go into that shop. I did when it first opened, and within seconds knew it was one I wouldn't be bothering with again

 

[newbie]

which one is meant, Premiere down the hill by Blenheim Gdns or one up the hill?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

which one is meant, Premiere down the hill by Blenheim Gdns or one up the hill?

Oh, I dunno. I assumed people are talking about that one that took over Bazaar Bazaar (near to Poleo Dry Cleaners)

 

[newbie]

ah, that didn't occur to me. Not been in there since the old bloke who tried to fix tellys retired

 

[slcr]

This has been my point all along: Tesco already has the lease, and can do what it wants.

The listing works only if Tesco wants to sell the lease, which it doesn't.

Not really, leanderman. It needs planning permission to do what it wants. Hence the point of people's objections to the various applications it has made, and has yet to make. Most of which will make relevant references to local character (which the recent listing confirms, though it is already recognised in relevant Lambeth planning policies).

 

[leanderman]

Not really, leanderman. It needs planning permission to do what it wants. Hence the point of people's objections to the various applications it has made, and has yet to make. Most of which will make relevant references to local character (which the recent listing confirms, though it is already recognised in relevant Lambeth planning policies).

It is a lovely building. And its character should be preserved.

But do the objections relate to the details of Tesco's project - or the very fact of it?

These are two different things.

 

[slcr]

Not sure of your point, but certainly a lot of people in the area (as around the UK generally...) object to "the fact of it", if by that you mean the simple idea of having a Tesco.

My personal objections relate to (i) having another large chain supermarket on the hill, where we're already saturated with Sainsburys and well-served with Tescos (ii) having another convenience store at all, of whatever ilk (again, the hill is saturated) (iii) uglifying the area.

Objections about character, in addition to being valid objections in themselves, are a useful tool for those whose ultimate purpose is to prevent it being a Tesco.

 

[leanderman]

Not sure of your point, but certainly a lot of people in the area (as around the UK generally...) object to "the fact of it", if by that you mean the simple idea of having a Tesco.

My personal objections relate to (i) having another large chain supermarket on the hill, where we're already saturated with Sainsburys and well-served with Tescos (ii) having another convenience store at all, of whatever ilk (again, the hill is saturated) (iii) uglifying the area.

Objections about character, in addition to being valid objections in themselves, are a useful tool for those whose ultimate purpose is to prevent it being a Tesco.

I understand all that. And agree to an extent.

My point was that the objections are about the detail of the plans (railings, frontage, cars etc) when the real objection is to there being any plans at all.

And I doubt you can stop Tesco putting a store in a commercial building it holds a lease on. Only the details (railings, frontage, cars etc) are at issue. Not the store.

I believe Tesco has already appealed to the Secretary of State to go over Lambeth council's heads.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

ah, that didn't occur to me. Not been in there since the old bloke who tried to fix tellys retired

He's the one (well not him, but his young lad/helper) who climbed the roof and put our aerial up. Fixed my VCR a few times as well

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I believe Tesco has already appealed to the Secretary of State to go over Lambeth council's heads.

Could that be newsworthy? Anyone know any journalists?

 

[leanderman]

Oh, I dunno. I assumed people are talking about that one that took over Bazaar Bazaar (near to Poleo Dry Cleaners)

Yep. Called Grace. Still shut.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Yep. Called Grace. Still shut.

Not a huge loss

 

[leanderman]

Could that be newsworthy? Anyone know any journalists?

That information re: secretary of state and Tesco was from a tweet by George IV campaigners

 

[editor]

Here's how it's going to look if they get their way.



https://www.facebook.com/StopTescoSaveGeorgeIV

 

[leanderman]

That is horrific. Almost as bad as the buildings either side: ATS tyres and Magic Tiles

 

[Giles]

I understand all that. And agree to an extent.

My point was that the objections are about the detail of the plans (railings, frontage, cars etc) when the real objection is to there being any plans at all.

And I doubt you can stop Tesco putting a store in a commercial building it holds a lease on. Only the details (railings, frontage, cars etc) are at issue. Not the store.

I believe Tesco has already appealed to the Secretary of State to go over Lambeth council's heads.

I thought that, as things stand, planning permission is not needed to go from a pub (A4) to a shop (A1)?

Or does this "asset of community value" thing change these rules?

It would be kind of funny watching someone argue that the George was a much-used "local" pub (for those locals who liked getting off their faces and dancing to banging hard house and trance at any time at all over the weekend, anyway).

I still hope it doesn't become a Tesco though.

Giles..

 

[Vibrant-Hubb]

I think that "much used local pub" is valid. The George had periods as an RnB bar and club, house and trance club, gig place for bands, comedy venue with a stage and just as a sitting around chatting pub. Plus it is a beautiful building with distinctive architectural features and in a Conservation Area.

 

[goldenecitrone]

Here's how it's going to look if they get their way.

View attachment 32118

That just looks so wrong.

 

[Rushy]

Given the recent news about Golfrate buying the Windmill and other pub freeholds it would seem like a good idea for Lambeth to start identifying "community assets" before more of them are sold. After all, once the sale has taken place the listing is not nearly as useful. Perhaps we should start a list here?

The tories are proposing stricter controls to save pubs:

A recent report by the Tories recommended that London’s boroughs should step in with stricter planning policies that favour protecting pubs as community hubs.​

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It also called for strict criteria when it comes to planning applications for changing the use of a pub or demolishing it. These might include the need to demonstrate that the pub has been vacant for at least two years, making sure the character of the street scene is not detrimentally affected, and retaining significant features of historic value.​

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Crispy Could the planning authority theoretically bring in an Article 4 direction (or other instrument) which applies stricter controls on properties once they have been identified as Community Assets? E.g. removing the right for change of use from A4 to retail and requiring full planning consent?

 

[Tricky Skills]

Identifying Assets of Community Value can be carried out by residents, as has been the case with The George. The Localism Act allows this under Right to Bid. You just need 21 signatures from local residents - the group doesn't need to be constituted. 'Social well being' is the key phrase - highly flexible. If listed like The George - and the Type Museum & the Groveway Nursery - then the group gets a six month heads up for a market value bid, should the asset come up for sale.

Here's the Lambeth Council Right to Bid application form, and related docs.

I admit that it's possibly a little idealistic. But the legislation is there, and it's more about official recognition that buildings such as Brixton Windmill, the Fridge and the Rec (?) are all genuine assets of community value. I personally think that the George has a half decent chance of making a go of this...

Here's a video from Locality [declaration: work for Locality...] on the how the Ivy House in Southwark managed to achieve community ownership.

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The Place Station site from Locality encourages individuals and groups to map and share ideas with a view to possible listings.​

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I saw some guys a while ago on the roof that didn't look like residents. Maybe builders or surveyors?

Just saw another couple on the roof and one of them works next door at ATS garage

There was also a party on the roof the other night. Not sure if that was a Bank Holiday weekend party for the residents though

 

[simonSW2]

Just got a letter through from Lambeth Planning to say the application for "Removal of part of existing fencing with formation of building on existing hardstanding area" has been withdrawn.