One of Hampstead's oldest pubs is safe from closure – for now

10th August 2010, 11:36am

The Duke of Hamilton pub, in New End, hampstead, has been serving beer for three centuries but was recently facing closure after the owners made a planning application to convert the historical building into four-bedroom houses.

But a battle backed by the Campaign for Real Ale, Hampstead and Kilburn mp Glenda Jackson, the late Duke's second wife, Jill, Duchess of Hamilton, and the Heath and Hampstead Society managed to stop the plan in its tracks.

Jackson wrote to Camden's planners on behalf of her constituents expressing their concern over the closure of a number of pubs in recent years and The Wellington Pub Group, the owners of the Duke withdrew the application last month.

But according to the report, another application is being considered. The Duchess told The London Evening Standard: "It is vital to keep landmarks and places where locals can meet. The Duke is both – and it is also one of the few real ale pubs left. To lose it would be a tragedy for London."

Related Articles:

• 03 Dec 2009 - London pub closures reach 11 week, says British Beer and Pub Association
• 30 Sep 2009 - Industry experts team up to host 'Save the Pub' quiz

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@eatoutmagazine.co.uk.