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Pub Preservation
by Mark Hoile,
North London Branch
Pub Preservation Officer
Black Lion, NW6
Regular readers will be aware that the Grade II * listed Black Lion, in High road Kilburn recently closed down at short notice for a refurbishment. The initial closure provoked a great deal of concern, as the interior of the pub appeared to be in the process of modification. No listed building consent had been applied for, and initial works involved the removal of part of the bar and internal partition. (See photographs in the last TFP).
However, the pub has now re opened for business and is attracting a relaxed clientele. The official re launch will take place in early December, and is being handled by a professional public relations company. The interior detail on the walls and ceilings has been maintained with a deep clean and fresh paint. The wooden floor has been sanded and the bar rebuilt. However the counter itself appears to have been re assembled in a disorderly fashion, and requires inspection. Further, a wooden partition appears to have been altered.
No real ale is available, although this is most likely of little concern to the pub's prospective new customer base. A large room to the right houses a restaurant with table service, and is very popular. A small final section of the pub will be reopened in the near future.
If readers posses any interior photographs of this pub prior to refurbishment, then a copy would be gratefully received by the Editor. Once again a landmark North London pub has preserved its place in our heritage.
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 23.
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