The Kentish Drovers on Peckham High Street, a JD Wetherspoon pub, could be converted into a bingo hall under new plans submitted to Southwark Council.
The pub was first put up for sale in July of last year and was reportedly listed for offers worth more than £1 million on a long leasehold. In February of this year, it was still up for sale with a reported asking price of more than £900,000. As of August, the pub remains on the market with an asking price reduced to more than £750,000.
Background of the sale
When The Kentish Drovers was put up for sale last year, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said it would continue to operate as a Wetherspoon until it was sold. He told the News Shopper: “We can confirm that The Kentish Drovers has been placed on the market by Wetherspoon. The company, does on occasion, put some of its pubs up for sale and this is the case here.”
Fresh plans submitted
Fresh plans from an applicant called LCE Property Ltd were submitted to Southwark Council’s planning portal last week (August 19), which could see the pub transformed into a bingo hall. According to a planning statement, the applicant’s aim is to “attract patrons of all ages” and wants the bingo hall to be seen as a “community orientated venue”.
The planning statement reads: “Beyond the gambling aspect, these venues act as vital social hubs that encourage local interaction, build relationships, and help reduce loneliness for participants. It reuses commercial floorspace, causes no unacceptable amenity impacts and enhances vitality and viability in our ever declining high streets.”
Details of the proposal
The plans consist of a change of use on the ground floor and basement, which is currently occupied by Wetherspoon. It is understood that existing access to the upper floor residential units will still be maintained. No extensions or outside alterations are planned, and the building’s height, scale, massing and appearance will remain unchanged.
The planning statement said the plans represent a “sustainable reuse of an existing building” and maintains the “quality and character of the local environment, and supports a vibrant town centre”.
According to Southwark Council’s planning portal, the plans are currently in the consultation stage. Local residents and businesses have until September 16 to share their views on the application.
