Wetherspoons pub in south London closes suddenly with plans to turn it into a bingo hallThe Kentish Drovers in Peckham High Street has been a pub for half a century but has become the latest venue to close in LondonThe Kentish Drovers on Peckham High Street has closed amid plans to turn it in to a bingo hall Google Street ViewMatt Watts, News Editor1 minute ago
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A JD Wetherspoon pub in south London has closed permanently amid plans to convert the site into a bingo hall.
The Kentish Drovers, at 71-79 Peckham High Street, has been a pub for half a century and a Wetherspoons for 25 years, but has now closed its doors after being sold.
It was first put up for sale in July last year, reportedly listed at £1 million and later reduced to £750,000.
A JD Wetherspoon spokesman confirmed to the Standard it had been sold, without confirming the buyer, but confirmed it was no longer operating as a pub.
It was closed suddenly after the sale went through on Friday.
Fresh plans from an applicant called LCE Property Ltd were submitted to Southwark Council’s planning portal last month, 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”.
A 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.”
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”.
The change of use application is currently under consideration by Southwark Council’s planning team, with a decision expected soon.
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The closure comes after the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) warned a pub closed in London around every five days in the first three months of the year amid pressure from higher taxes and regulatory costs.
A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon said: “On occasion we do put our pubs on the market and following the sale on Friday, the Kentish Drovers has now closed.”
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