Maida Vale pub demolished without warning

The Twentieth Century Society is appalled by the overnight demolition of the Carlton Tavern in Maida Vale on 8 April. 

The popular local venue was a rare example of an unaltered pub from the interwar period and it had retained its attractive external signage.

Built for brewery Charrington & Co around 1920-21, the Carlton Tavern  is thought to be the work of architect Frank J Potter. At the time of the demolition, Historic England had been considering a recommendation of listing at Grade II for the site, commenting that it was ‘remarkably well-preserved externally and internally’.

The bulldozers moved in on 8 April without notice and without the approval of the Council, which had rejected a 2014 planning application from the developer.

New owners CLTX wanted to replace the three-storey Carlton Tavern with a ground-floor pub and four floors of apartments.

On  13 January the Planning sub-committee refused permission, ruling that ‘due to the bulk, height and detailed design the new building would be detrimental to the view from the adjacent Maida Vale Conservation Area, view from the recreation ground and Carlton Vale where this is a gateway entrance to the park’.

The loss of the Carlton Tavern highlights the threat to unlisted buildings during the listing process. The lack of interim protection is failing our heritage system and the Society is increasingly concerned by the situation.

The C20 Society will continue to press for a change in the legislation to prevent the loss of more buildings like the Carlton Tavern.