Among the thousands of taverns who raised a glass to the reopening of pubs with outdoor spaces on 12th April 2021 following months of lockdown, one particular pub located in the quiet, affluent area of Maida Vale toasted its long-awaited reopening after not months, but years marked by heartbreak, fury and perseverance.

The story of the 100 year old Carlton Tavern is truly remarkable, telling of both its miraculous survival of the Blitz in World War II and the extraordinary success of a five year long campaign which saw it finally rebuilt ‘brick by brick’ following its illegal demolition. To their consternation, on 8th April 2015, residents were forced to watch as Tel Aviv based property developer CTLX reduced their cherished local pub to rubble unlawfully, in the hope of building luxury apartments in its place, even after being refused planning permission by Westminster City Council. This brazen destruction of a pub that had essentially become the hub of the Maida Vale community came oh-so-conveniently, just as it was about to be announced as a Grade II building, its national and historic importance clear to see.

In response to CTLX’s mercenary decision, a campaign named ‘Brick by Brick’ was rapidly launched, backed by infuriated residents and punters, including British actor and singer Danny-John Jules, who were adamant that their pub be brought back as an identical copy of the one they had known and loved for decades. Soon after, Westminster City Council served an enforcement order demanding CTLX to recreate ‘in facsimile the building as it stood immediately prior to its demolition’. CLTX, whose numerous appeals against the denial of planning permission for the proposed replacement flats and the demand to rebuild it ‘brick by brick’ were turned down, were then ordered by a judge to have it rebuilt within 24 months in May 2016.

Councillor Jan Prendergast described the demolition as ‘a lawless destruction of Westminster's heritage’ but thanks to the tenacity of the campaigners, who protested tirelessly, and the determination of the local council, the residents were able to drive commercial greed out of their community and regain a historic piece belonging to their close knit community six years later.

So, while many local businesses, including 6,000 pubs and bars were unfortunately having to close during the pandemic, the Carlton Tavern was preparing a long anticipated welcome to all its regular visitors to celebrate the hard-fought reclamation of an invaluable part of the community and in so doing, issued a stark warning to all property developers to rethink when making decisions that will impact the community and its heritage. A poignant story of success of a pub which simply refuses to be taken down and a community which stood in the face of commercial greed and drove it out of their community.