Marquis of Lansdowne saved as Geffrye Museum abandons demolition plans
Geffrye Almshouses in autumn. Photography: David Clarke and Marcus Leith
Campaigners have praised the Geffrye Museum for “listening and rethinking” plans which would have seen a disused former pub knocked down.
The Marquis of Lansdowne, in Cremer Street, Shoreditch, survived the blitz during the Second World War, but expansion plans from the museum would have seen the Victorian building demolished in a bid to attract more visitors.
However, in May this year, Hackney Council’s planning sub-committee rejected the plans, voting six to two against the proposal.
L-R: William Palin, a trustee of the Spitalfields Trust, celebrating with fellow campaigners Zena Sullivan, Peter Kelly and Nick Pope following Hackney Council’s decision to reject the plans earlier this year. Photograph: Josh Loeb
The museum has announced plans to re-start its £14million development project but will now “integrate the former pub within the overall design”, restoring it for use either as a café or a shop.
David Dewing, director of the Geffrye Museum, who had been “bitterly disappointed” at the council’s decision, said: “We are feeling confident and reinvigorated about taking the project forward for the benefit of our visitors in Hackney and beyond.”
A petition, which was launched to save the building from being knocked down, gathered 2,247 signatures.
The Geffrye Museum, which receives over 105,000 visitors a year, plans to submit a new application in 2014 with work projected to begin in 2018.
Related:
Geffrye Museum expansion plans thrown out by Hackney Council
It will be interesting to see the new designs as the museum is a big draw for the area and curious to see how the new proposals will integrate this very forlorn derelict ex-pub. The proposal for a cafe/shop may be an interesting solution.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they restored the pub to its original interior design – as another example of British interiors through the ages – and let it become a working exhibit as the museum’s cafe. Could even sell the same food as would have been on the menu then.
Damian – if the building still had its original interior, I would agree that it would be an interesting addition to the museum. But any attempt to replicate it will probably be disastrous.
Seem to recall that the vociferous campaign to save this derelict pub (that hasn’t been open in decades) wanted to “restore” it so it would have been essentially a pastiche of an old working men’s boozer filled with lots of ironic trendy drinkers. Cafe or shop seems like a potentially interesting compromise but could also look terrible if it means the plans for the extension are all dominated by saving the remains of this empty building.
I seem to remember that the boss of the Geffrye Museum wanted nothing to do with the delerict pub as it only represented working-class culture and history and his posh museum was interested in any of that proletarian crap and instead only cares about the life of the middle class and petit bourgeoisie. Understandable I suppose as they are the kind of people who visit his museum. Shortsighted though of course as they are the kind of people who would love to be able to “visit a real east end pub”. Maybe they could engage some actors to start fights with them and try and sell them some drugs, bootleg DVDs and knocked-off sets of knives to go with the bitter and the pork scratchings, with Chas n Dave music playing in the background as the fake teeth get spat out onto the sawdust and blood- (and puke?) laden floor. Assuming the pub becomes part of the museum (and its own cafeteria/bar).
I hereby copyright this concept and if Geffrye Museum decides to take it up I expect 25% of the profits.
“and his posh museum was interested in any of that proletarian crap”
should have – obviously – read “wasn’t interested in any of that proletarian crap”.
seem to recall that the comment was never substantiated and quite likely taken out of context by a very vocal group of dead pub supporters. Also recall large numbers of those signing the petition seemed to think it was still open but many also lived in US and Australia so perhaps myth of a “proper” East End boozer had a certain appeal.
Surely you need to add to your copyright…it won’t be Chas n Dave songs playing in this theme boozer, it’ll be ‘The Feeling’ doing specially commissioned cover versions of East End classics.
geffrye Museum -please listen to intelligent people like Damian. Thank You,Damian. Kenneth. kennethdodds@yahoo.co.uk