Greenwich pub from 19th century to reopen

A building home to a 19th century pub is to be converted into a hotel, despite locals calling the plans an “eyesore” and not in keeping with the nearby Victorian houses.

Greenwich council has approved plans to reopen The Pickwick, a pub from the 1830s, in Greenwich Peninsula.

The works on the site would include restoring the pub on Woolwich Road, as well as the building’s accompanying bed and breakfast.

The plans, sent by Pure Let Greenwich Ltd, will see an extra three storey building with ground floor office space being added to the site.

The development has been described as an “aparthotel” by the applicant, which will include rooms with kitchen facilities to allow for long or short-term rentals.

Planning documents from Neel Dakshy Architecture, on behalf of the applicant, said the space will include 19 units in the original pub building and new three storey extension. Included in this will be 16 serviced studio rooms.

The plans received 22 objections online from locals. Neighbours in the area criticised the design of the space, stating it was not in keeping with the historic pub or surrounding Victorian houses.

One objection was summarised in council documents as: “Poorly designed building described as a ‘monstrosity’, ‘hodgepodge’, ‘eyesore’, ‘towering’ and ‘mismatched’.”

Concerns were also raised by neighbours on the beer garden planned in front of the pub. Some neighbours felt the space would increase congestion and pollution in the “already busy area”.

One objection said: “Woolwich Road is an unsuitable location for a beer garden as it is a narrow street and quiet in the evening.”

Council officers responded to the concerns of locals by noting the retention of the pub’s historic facade in the design, which was planned to be restored in the renovation.

Residents were also said to support the reopening of the “landmark building” on Woolwich Road.

Greenwich council had already approved the planned front garden previously. Council officers in their report said that the detail has been approved to redevelop the beer garden that was originally at the back of the pub.

Labour Councillor Gary Dillon said at the meeting: “I know the pub, I did my apprenticeship round the corner so I spent quite a few lunchtimes in there and historically it did have drinking tables outside in that space and they used to have them down the side as well. So historically, there’s been outside drinking.”

Council documents said that The Pickwick dates back to the 1830s before it was rebuilt in 1862. The pub has reportedly been closed since 2017.

At the meeting, the planning committee for Greenwich council voted unanimously to grant permission for The Pickwick to be refurbished and reopened, alongside the new aparthotel.

Pictured top: An artist’s impression of the reopened pub and accompanying aparthotel (Picture: J Butterworth Planning/Neel Dakshy Architecture/Greenwich council)