Despite Lewisham planning officials having already approved demolition of the 130 year old Baring Hall Hotel, local campaigners have fought back successfully. First the planning application to redevelop the site into shops and flats was turned down and then, in a last minute legal challenge, demolition rights were removed.
Under pressure from local campaigners, the Mayor (Steve Bullock) has approved a 'Local Listing' which gives the pub protection for now from development and demolition - allowing campaigners time to raise funds to buy the pub back from developers and reopen it as a community pub.
Simon Nundy, Conservative Mayoral Candidate himself a local pub landlord, says "Whilst I understand that many people remember the run-down and anti-social last days of the Baring Hall Hotel I believe that a newly refurbished, family oriented pub would be a great asset to the neighbourhood and I for one will be happy to support it.