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The Queens Hotel, Crouch End
by Mark Hoile
In the September edition of TFP, we looked at the 'Save the Queens' campaign. Three months on, Mark Hoile updates us...
Previous issues of The Full Pint have highlighted what had previously been the imminent closure and loss of this North London pub of character and architectural interest, much loved within the local community for many years.
However, as can be seen from the photographs taken this month, the Queens is back, restored to use a public house for the enjoyment of everyone.
Scottish and Newcastle brewery originally submitted plans to close down the pub and following an extensive conversion, re-open as a two hundred-seat pizza restaurant. A campaign was immediately put into place to save the building and the 'Friends Of The Queens' was born out of a group of regular customers and interested parties. The local paper quickly identified the story and gave generous publicity to the issue, with further support from CAMRA, and The London Pubs Group (see page 7 of this issue—Ed). Action included the raising of a 250-name petition and meetings with brewery officials. Results were swift, when within weeks the brewery submitted 'revised plans' that allowed for the retention of original fixtures along with restoration as a public house. Now reopened and with the continued presence of the landlord Pat Duffy the Queens has enjoyed renewed success, and continued popularity.
Mark Hoile
North London Branch Pub Preservation Officer
Above - Jonathan and Grenville, organisers of The 'Friends Of The Queens' along with licensee Pat.
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 13.
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