Hare and Hounds' regulars defeat pub toilet plan

11:30am Tuesday 26th August 2008

Pub regulars in East Sheen may be able to relax with their drinks now time has been called on plans to desecrate a 1930s bar by installing two new toilets.

An application by Young’s and Co, which owns the Hare and Hounds pub, in Upper Richmond Road, was met with “great dismay and shock” after it emerged the development proposal would result in “the virtual demolition” of the public bar.

The Grade II listed building was the subject of a planning application to demolish existing rear extensions and build a new one to house a kitchen, create openings onto a decking area and make glazing changes to front and rear windows.

However, Richmond Council has told the brewery it would not consider a proposal that would see the interwar public bar, which is screened off from the rest of the pub, altered.

Officials had received a number of complaints from regulars and residents, including a letter and petition signed by 33 loyal customers - who have been going to the pub for a combined total of 978 years - angry that their drinking area would become “nothing more than a corridor”.

Regular of 32 years, Eddie McAvoy, wrote: “The people in charge should be locked up.”

Fellow drinker, Phil Shepherd, who has been enjoying a pint there since 1970, added: “With so many pubs closing, please don’t drive us out of ours.”

Neighbours also complained about the building plans.

Church Avenue resident, Eileen Linden said that late night revellers already caused her to suffer from excess noise and disturbance.

She added: “I even have various items thrown over my back garden wall - varying from broken glass, stones etc.”

The Hare & Hounds is one of only 156 pubs out of the 5,500 in Greater London to feature in a new book, 'London Heritage Pubs: An Inside Story' by Geoff Brandwood and Jane Jephcote.

Mr Brandwood, of Rothesay Avenue, said: “Few traditional pub interiors remain, such has been the devastation in recent decades through opening out and theming.

“The original plans contained the vandalous proposal to sweep away this delightful room.

“Good on the council for standing up for a bit of Richmond heritage.”

A council spokesman said: “The bar and screen are recognised as important and rare survivals from the 1930s, which make a notable contribution to the internal character of the pub.”

Young’s was unavailable for comment.