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Pub Preservation
by Mark Hoile,
North London CAMRA
Pub Preservation Officer
Warrington Hotel, Warrington Crescent W9
Sharp eyed, readers will have noted that the Warrington is not actually located within the true geographical area of North London CAMRA branch. However it is a frequent venue for joint social events with West London CAMRA, and the building is of outstanding architectural interest, as the following will show.
Built in 1898 on land formerly used as a cattle farm, the hotel is now a listed grade II building. Both the interior and the exterior contain volumes of detail. This includes panels of decorative leaded light glass, elaborate cornices, a marbled fireplace, bars with volutes and marble tops. Mosaic decoration, lion head motifs, decorative stucco work, the list goes on. The porch entrance is supported on columns covered in ‘faience' a glazed non-clay ceramic material, of which this a rare surviving example. The curved flight of steps to the building is flanked by large standard lamps of the ‘Alfred's Head' type, remarkable as very few kerb edge pub standards survive today. The lamps add a particularly inviting atmosphere at night, and give visitors a clue to the beauty within.
 
Approximately 60 years ago works took place within the pub, leading to the removal of the original hotel rooms to create what is now a ‘Thai restaurant', and staff quarters. The history of the pub itself is subject to some speculation including that it was once used as a brothel for clients of a nearby club or casino. This may be supported by the detailed painting above the door of the public bar, combined with local rumour.
 
Further points of interest are the Bass mirror (see photo above) which is reputed to be over 100 years old, and the fact that the marble bar top contains ‘wells' or indentations from years of use, including the erosion of the marble itself by cider, demonstrating the acidity of the drink. The downstairs gents toilet also has a small frame showing examples of the ceiling paper produced by ‘Sanderson' from an original design by JH Dearle in 1894, and a carpet pattern woven by ‘Brintons' to an original Victorian design.
A regular entry to the annual Good Beer Guide, the licensee of 21 years John Brandon, keeps a selection of good quality real ales, and maintains the pub as very much a part of the local community. The festive season will see a large Christmas tree and decorations in the main bar.
Mark Hoile
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 28.
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