19th century pub could be turned into a Tesco
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A pub that has stood since the 19th century could be changed into a Tesco, after the boozer has sat empty for more three years.
Greenwich council has received plans to change the White Swan pub in The Village, Charlton, into a set of seven flats with a shop on the ground floor.
The plans, submitted by Mendoza, would include adding an extra storey to the top of the Victorian pub and building an extension on top of the current beer garden.
The pub has reportedly been closed since March 2020 and the new design seeks to preserve the character of the existing structure.
Planning documents from Jenkins Law show that Tesco viewed the site in December last year and had since sent a proposal for the space.
The plans from Jenkins Law said there was “extremely limited” demand for the pub in its current form and the building had been marketed for the past three and a half years but no new leaseholder could be found.
The plans said: “We consider that it is unrealistic for the property to continue as a drinking establishment evidenced by the previous tenants’ failure to operate viably despite apparent community support and the extremely poor level of interest throughout the marketing campaign.”
The White Swan was locally listed by Greenwich council last month.
Council documents said the building was reconstructed in 1889 when it was used as a hotel. The building’s attic was damaged after being bombed during World War Two, with the extension proposed in the new plans taking inspiration from the original design.
Planning documents from Milan Basic Architects, on behalf of Mendoza, said: “We firmly believe that the transformation of the existing building into a mixed-use space, encompassing both residential and retail functions, will bring about positive changes to the area’s assets.”
They added: “This conversion will not only introduce new employment opportunities and living spaces for potential renters or buyers but also enhance the overall wellbeing of the current residents in the vicinity.”
Tesco and Jenkins Law were approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
Pictured top: The White Swan, as seen in The Village road in Charlton (Picture: Google Earth)
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