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Last orders at Soho rock pub
By Rashid Razaq 01.09.06
Historic: The Intrepid Fox, founded in 1784 by Whig Charles James Fox
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A legendary Soho music pub which counts film stars and some of the biggest names in rock among its customers is to be bulldozed to make way for flats.
The Intrepid Fox in Wardour Street, patronised by the likes of Sir Mick Jagger and Ewan McGregor and a haven for fans of live rock music, is to cease operating as a venue on 11 September.
It is understood the site is to be sold to property developers. Owner Mitchells & Butlers, which manages pub chains including All Bar One and O'Neill's, has told landlord Pat Begent and his nine staff the Fox will shut.
It has been sold along with 20 other central London pubs as part of a £53 million deal.
Mr Begent, who has run the Fox for 15 years, said: "It is a travesty. This pub is part of the cultural history of Soho. It is a musical institution and the list of bands who have launched albums or been customers here is enormous. It is famous the world over. Most of the stories that have happened here are unprintable.
"The Fox has been at the heart of this area and its closure will destroy the alternative music scene. It is another step towards the homogenisation of Soho as just another bland, faceless residential area.
"We've had little notice to mount a campaign. If we had known the pub was being sold we could have presented a business plan to the new owners. This is a vibrant, healthy business but there seems little hope now of keeping it open."
Mr Begent, 41, and wife January, who live above the pub, have been given less than a month to leave.
The Intrepid Fox was founded by Whig leader Charles James Fox in 1784 who promised to give free beer to anyone who offered him electoral support.
In more modern times it was the favourite watering hole of London's rock elite and a big tourist draw. Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart are rumoured to have come close to trading punches there after the former tried to poach Ronnie Wood - then in Stewart's band The Faces - for the Rolling Stones. The late hellraising actor Richard Harris was a regular and Mel Gibson has been a customer.
Malcolm McLaren, who used to drink at the Fox with Johnny Rotten and the other Sex Pistols in the Seventies, has backed a campaign to save the pub, having once named it one of the five best in the world.
A Mitchells & Butlers spokeswoman said: "The Intrepid Fox has been sold as part of a package to investment companies and pub operators.
"The 21 pubs were all prime locations but quite small, with average weekly sales of £7,000. The rest of our pubs have average weekly sales of £16,000."
The Campaign for Real Ale, which supports traditional pubs, has called for Westminster council to reject any application for a change of use of the site.
A Camra spokesman said: "There are too many cases of developers targeting pubs to make a quick profit by converting them to flats. Whoever has purchased the Fox should listen to those campaigning to save it and should either continue to run it as a pub or sell it on to someone who will."
The planned closure follows news of a campaign to save the 2,000-capacity Astoria - another of Soho's historic music venues. The Standard reported last week that 15,000 people have signed a petition to stop the building being turned into flats and shops.
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Reader views (36)
I thought Fox Hunting had been banned!
Soho is a world famous tourist attraction. Pubs like the fox and other buildings that should be listed give it its character. We have already ruined some of the best architecture in this city that people love to visit, and it is disgraceful that we continue to do so! Not only is this building historical in it architecture, but also in its role within in the community and its visitors!
Save the Fox!
- Andrew Yeates, London, England
I was just actually online doing research to find some of my old haunts I frequented when I was attending college abroad about twenty or so years ago, as I was thinking of making another trek across the "pond" for a long awaited visit. I was very distressed to find here that the Bramley Arms, in Notting Hill no longer exists. The place was then run by the uncle of a man I was dating at the time and holds many fond memories for me. Does anyone know when it was converted into office sites?
Also, I had the privilege of patronizing the Fox a few times as well, and I think it would be criminal to continue to destroy the wonderful heritage and neighborhood fellowship that these colorful businesses have provided for so many centuries. I'm assuming that at the time of my writing this that the beloved Fox is now gone too, but I sincerely hope that you can save and preserve any of the other cherished pubs that are on the "endangered species" list.
- Debbie Pinkston, Beaverton, OR - United States
For the past twenty years The Fox has been my favorite pub in London. Twelve years ago Pat gave me a job as a Doorman. I stayed for five years. Thought I'd seen it all. But I never thought I'd see this. Every decent rock band you can mention has been through those doors. Kerrang, Sounds, Melody Maker, NME and now Classic Rock's pages are full of rockers who have graced the Fox. Axel Rose and his original band mates drank there in '87 before playing the Marquee Club, (which was also once on Wardour Street) Why? Because some of their heroes: the Pistols and UK Subs drank there. I remember Zodiac Mindwarp was also there that night. Everyone who loves Rock 'n' Roll drank there. It's a tragedy to let it go without a decent fight.
- Mark Campbell, London
The Fox was legendary even to me so far away from London. It was one of the first pubs where I ever had a pint on my first visit to London. That visit was like a pilgrimage. Sad... very sad.
- Brian, San Francisco, California, USA
I think the sale and closure of the Intrepid fox is a huge loss for central London as a whole. I've been going to the venue for about 6 years and ALWAYS had a fantasstic time there. Always good music and you can find yourself having a good chat with other punters and the staff without them seeming like they're totally disinterested because you don't work for the same investment company or graphic design firm (no offence meant for those respective professions).
There have never been any incidents of violence that I can recall - as opposed to alot of other venues in the same postcode. I also think the statement from Mitchell's and Butlers doesn't make alot of sense, since I used to work for them in a pub that took in a week what the Fox would take on a Friday and half of Saturday night.
The Intrepid Fox is an attraction not just for die-hard rockers, I've seen tourists from all parts of the globe who you might think would normally go into a more traditional pub go in there and enjoy themselves.
It's a terrible thing that has happened to what is now the Soho Lounge bar (used to be a nice late-night rock place to go after the Fox at weekends) and also the demise of the Arts venue which used to hold some good nights too. I'm not a die-hard rocker but I think destroying a perfectly viable business and a landmark venue for many is disgusting.
There will be no other place like it in London and I hope for everyone that it can continue to run.
All the best Pat, Jan and all the staff
- Eddie, London, UK
I love the fox, it's one of the few rock pubs london has left. It'll be a very sad loss for the centre of town. Can't anything be done to save it from the scrap heap?
- Bridgeen, London
I came to London this year and while walking around soho my boyfriend and I found this fantastic little pub, we went in for a pint and left at closing time, we went again before we headed back to Middlesbrough. The music was outstanding and the people in there were brilliant,
I've already signed the petition and hope that the fox can be saved, it will be a great loss to everyone that ever enjoyed a drink in there.
- Red, Middlesbrough
The Fox was the first pub I went into when I arrived in the UK 7 years ago and since then I have been there consistently. Many a night I have spent listening to good, hard rock and talking to interesting people. Great atmosphere, great people and more interesting than the faceless wine bars and souless pseudo-pubs filled to the brim with besuited consultants and salesmen (and I am a consultant).
M&B should have nurtured the ethos of a place like the Fox, as oppossed to the clinical, faceless image that is All Bar One, or the cheesy irish, or in fact the conveyor belt ,mass produced feel and atmosphere that all its other interests have (Including Vintage Inns, Toby Carvery, Ember Inns, O’Neill’s, Sizzling Pub Co., Edward’s, Harvester Restaurants), instead of being the jewel in the M&B crown, it has been ill treated and discarded. It hurts to think that a once vibrant part of London will be filled with more anonymous flats with even more anonymous occupants, the West End is now a poorer place.
Goodbye old Friend, you will be missed.
Pat, January, thanks so much for all the good times. All the best for the future.
- Big Dog, London, England
This is just typical of M&B. It's disgusting. London pubs are what makes this city what it is and the destruction of one of the most famous, to make way for yet more yuppie flats, in an area which doesn't need them, is just terrible. Our thoughts should go to Pat during this very dark time and we should launch a nationwide boycott of all M&B pubs, to show this arrogant company who really is the boss. Let's call time on Mitchell's and Butler's! Disgusting.
- Jonny, London
The Intrepid Fox is one of the most inspired and authentic alternative pubs I know of in the middle of town. I know all things must pass, but surely NOT this!
I STILL have a t-shirt for the Intrepid Fox from the early 90s!
This is a sad day if this comes to pass.
- Rahid, London
Well this should really not come as a surprise. A months notice to move out? They use the "mushroom" method of treating their staff. Keep them in the dark and throw manure on them.
- John, london, england
Mitchells and Butlers strike again! Money, money, money and sod the concept and whole ethos of what public houses are all about, communities. These mindless penny pinchers have done exactly the same thing to my local and completely destroyed another community. Shame on them.
- Jake, UK
In reagrds to Dale of London.
I have been a regular of the fox for about 6 years now and I have never once seen anyone asked to leave the pub because of the way 'they look' yes there is a rule for no ties or sports colours and that's because the pub does not accept any negative attitudes which are commonly associated with sports attire.
It would be very interesting to see how many places I would be 'Refused access to' because of the way I look.
- Ryan King, Balham, London
I can't believe this is actually happening. One of the only places left in Central London to hear good old rock and effing roll - and they are destroying it!
I have had many a great night in the Fox and now we are all gonna have to stand around listening to R&B or faceless ambient Jazz like every other pub in London. I don't wanna sit on a nice faux leather sofa talking about being thirty something... I wanna rock. Keep it open!
- Theton, Sutton, UK
I only heard about this tragic news a few days ago, they seem to have done the deal quite quickly so as not to give time for action against it! There is no other pub in Soho, or London like it and it was a major tourist attraction to those that knew. The atmosphere in there just can't be replicated. Monday, 11th September, will be a sad day for London.
- Spencer, London
Yet another reason why I'm leaving London. The only reason one puts up with the expense of living here is the range of specialist pubs/clubs/shops etc. which could not exist in a smaller town. If they can't exist here either then I guess the future of an extremely bland and boring environment is soon upon us, which will inevitably lead to an even more bland/boring/cultureless society. The closure of Gossips was a tragedy, unfortunately it was only the beginning of boring people stripping London of its individuality.
- Sara, London, UK
The Intrepid Fox is a hole in the wall. There's a reason it doesn't make enough money, it's because it's incredibly elitist and basically closes it's door to anyone that doesn't fit into it's little clique. If it was well enough backed and supported, I'm sure the managers could have bought it out from the owners and carried on with their little pantomime. But really, I'm not at all sad to see the back of it.
- Julia, London, UK
With regard to the view left by "Dale, London", who said he was asked to leave The Intrepid Fox on Friday evening because of "the way he looked", would it be possible for him to tell us exactly how he looked, as I have seen people from every creed, colour, etc at some time in The Intrepid Fox. It's made me curious as to how he actually looked. Please let us know.
- Lyn Smith, Grays, Essex
The intrepid fox is without doubt a soho institution, much like Raymond's Revue was; however the site it stands on is worth more than what it stands for. It'll be a sad day to see it turned into more pointless over-priced city-high-flyer flats, but with developers so ready to pester councils into submission to get planning permission this won't be the last institution to disappear in a cloud of dust to return as bog-standard 'luxury' apartments.
- Neil Evans, Notting Hill
This is yet another situation when money is deemed more important than community. The Intrepid Fox will be the latest victim to be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed and short sightedness. We shouldn't take this lying down, if the corporate world wants to drive us from the Intrepid Fox, Gossips, The Astoria etc, we shouldn't go quietly. There are petitions online for The Intrepid Fox and your voice!
- Billie Sylvain, London
Unbelievable on of the few pubs left that is not a corporate Hell hole is being demolished to make way for flats!
No justice!
- Mark Bruce, London
I went to support the Intrepid fox on friday, I was asked to leave because of the 'way I looked', like so many places in london we are judged by how we dress. It's a shame we don't get the chance to share what's inside each other. It's no big deal a pub like this is closing.
- Dale, London
This is a disaster for Soho and for the London music scene. Another typical instance of short-termism and blind profiteering. Whoever was responsible for giving this planning approval should lose their job, at the very least; the function of the planning committee for an area is surely to preserve its character or to seek whatever is best for the area.
- Liam Proven, London, England
The Intrepid Fox is one of Soho's cultural landmarks. Places like this are unique and irreplaceable and should be preserved for future generations to enjoy - not bulldozed so a few people can make a quick buck.
- D, London, England
I have had some of the best, and the funniest nights of my life in this pub. I have made friends who will last a lifetime from a fleeting chat in the queue for the ladies- it's that kind of place. I want to vomit when I think that every last piece of individuality and colour is being squeezed out of our towns and cities to be replaced by bland, faceless, carbon copy flats, pubs and shops. Do we not have enough of these already?
It will be a travesty of justice if this hallowed rock haunt is destroyed. We, as rock fans, have always known we didn't 'belong'. Now developers are making sure we also have nowhere to go. First Gossips, next the Astoria, and finally the Fox. It is ironic that millions of tourists come here each year so see our variety of life. Well here's the news: soon there will be nothing to see, so you may as well stay home.
- Leah, St Leonards on Sea, UK
What will the flats be worth when they have ripped all the soul out of Soho? A lot less than the developers think. This is mindless vandalism. It's wrong. A few people will gain and we all shall lose.
- Arthur Killingback, London, UK
I think it's disgusting. Great pub, great atmosphere, great place!
- Lisa, Swindon
This pub is where so many bands have come together, including my own. We use it for everything from aftershow parties to band meetings. What with the Astoria closing down, and Gossips last year as well as the Black Horse in Richmond amongst others... what are we going to do?
- Muggsy, London
How could you even think about changing such an historical place into flats?
This is seriously ridiculous, the city won't gain anything from that, it will only lose one of the oldest and greatest pubs in the whole city.
- Cerami Chiara, Milan, Italy
The Intrepid Fox is an integral part of the rock/alternative scene. It is important to our sub-culture and social well-being, and it saddens me that corporations would be so quick to dispose of such a relevant and vibrant institution.
- Lindsay Thomas, Canada
The Intrepid Fox is one of the last landmarks of the alternative/rock community, particularly in central London. Despite the short notice we're doing our best to stop any future development of the location, you can find more information about the campaign on the internet!
- Robin Cannon, London, UK
How can they get planning permission to close the pub and change it into flats, this is like changing the Eros statue into a bus stand, The Dive bar closed some time ago, now this. The only real boozers left in Soho now are Normans Coach and Horses and Blue Post in berick street.
The comment "pubs have average weekly sales of £16,000" is bull, the Fox is a busy house. Is there a way to petition. Can anything be done to stop this?
- Kenny Darcy, London
I'm in London quite a bit but always dashing around; in pubs every day for a quick ale, beer or cider or so in afternoon... shame I missed this one... damn shame they're pulling it down. I just hope someone stops them FOR GOOD. I won't be gurgling suds there in Londinium for a few months yet and when I grab a cabbie and say Intrepid Fox I hope he doesn't turn around and say, "Sorry, pal, the hounds eventually caught that Fox... had a good run, though, didn't 'e?"
- William Oliver, Canada
I presume that Soho will soon become a massive block of "luxury" apartments and All bar Ones with no originality whatsoever. This really cannot happen!
- Alan, London
The Intrepid Fox has been a piece of London history since its inauguration, these days it’s world famous for being THE place in London to drink to those that have a true passion for alternative tastes in music.
For us, The Fox is like going home. It is a place where one feels immediately accepted; it has a genuine sense of community. Despite what the slick suited tools may feel about the joint, it’s warm and friendly and the music! Where else could one sip a pint with friends with the whole bar tapping along to Slayer?
DON’T CLOSE IT!
- Jamie Dwelly, London
The Intrepid Fox is legendary, it's probably the only pub of it's kind in the Soho area and to close this pub is totally scandalous. Even if it has already been sold, the pub should still get a petition up to stop any planning permission to change it to dwellings. I, along with loads more, totally love this pub, for it's uniqueness. Let's get the ball rolling and "SAVE THE INTREPID FOX".
- Lyn Smith, Grays, Essex
