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Nell Gwynne's local threatened with closure
Valentine Low, Evening Standard5 Apr 2007
It is one of London's most historic pubs, said to have been frequented by Nell Gwynne and, more recently, by Jude Law and Sienna Miller.
Now the pub, named after the mistress of Charles II, is threatened with closure because of plans to redevelop the site.
Situated in Bull Inn Court, a tiny alley off the Strand, the Nell Gwynne is a former finalist in the Evening Standard Pub of the Year competition.
Licensee Trish Murphy said there had been a pub on the site since the Middle Ages.
"It used to be called the Bull Inn and Nell Gwynne used to use it," she said. "She was very popular and after her death it was named the Nell Gwynne."
Described on one website as " winningly old-fashioned", the current building dates back to the late 19th century, when the old pub was demolished to make way for the expansion of the Adelphi Theatre next door. "It is very, very small," said Mrs Murphy, 61. "It's not a tourist pub. People go down the Strand and don't know it's there. It is a proper boozer. I don't do food, only sandwiches."
She said Law and Miller used to hold private parties at the pub. "It appealed to them because it was unpretentious," she added.
"Trendy posers don't fit in. You stand behind the bar sometimes and you see a famous barrister talking to a plumber." Actor Richard Harris, who used to live at the Savoy when he was in London, was another regular. "He loved my Guinness," said Mrs Murphy.
She and husband Jerry, 69, took over the lease 14 years ago when the pub was closed and in receivership.
Mr Murphy said: "It was in an atrocious state. If you've seen the worst pub in the Old Kent Road, that was it. It was a dossers' pub, to be honest. I spent £100,000 to get it back into shape. It is a lovely old pub now."
When he applied to renew the lease, he was told the landlords intended to turn the flats above into offices and use the pub as an entrance.
Mrs Murphy said: "When I heard I was horrified. I want to go on running the pub but further than that, I want the pub to survive.
"My customers love it. I think they will have trouble getting them out. There is going to be nothing left soon. There was another pub here, The Peacock, which is now a hamburger joint."
Reader views (13)
It will be a great shame if another traditional pub disappears. We found this pub by accident one night whilst visiting London and what a fantastic old pub it is.
Let's hope it survives
- Catherine, Rotherham, UK, 04/05/2009 10:08
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I also have not made a trip to visit this fabulous pub of my very loved family member. If my family or any of the Gwynnes can do anything to help let us know.
- Austin K (Nellys Great Great Great Granson), The Woodlands, TX USA, 09/01/2009 07:50
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A fantastic pub with an even better juke box. Yet another decent is threatened with the chop. Outrageous!
- Gerry Brennan, Putney, London, 18/07/2008 21:57
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I have visted the Nell on occasions with my Londoner Cousin Rob, can safely say it one of the best pubs in the world. You guys do your best to save it.
- Simon Lovatt, Ashwood, Australia, 17/05/2007 11:09
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This is my mecca and the one friendly and memorable place in London. Even the fruit machine paided out. I hope the petition succeeds and this little icon is preserved.
- Nick Sharp, Camden, Australia, 04/05/2007 01:28
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I love this pub. Me and some friends have set up a petition against it's closure.
- Robin La Roca, London, England, 24/04/2007 00:13
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This is terrible news. The Nell is the best pub in London. A place with real character, sadly lacking now in many licensed premises. Keep the Nell open!
- Gareth Williams, Essex, 16/04/2007 10:20
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So the hob-nailed boot of progress bears down upon The Nell... It was only ever going to be a matter of time wasn't it? 200 real pubs a year are closing down in this increasingly homogenised city of ours, and the property men scalp another community for the sake of a quick buck. What are WCC saying on this one, or need I ask? A tragic, tragic waste.
- Paul, London, 12/04/2007 13:37
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I've worked in Covent Garden for over 15 years and it's taken me over 10 of those to find my perfect pub. Unpretentious, traditional, friendly staff, fabulous jukebox, nice pint of beer and good company. Perfect. It's a disgrace that it should be allowed to close. I think a grade 2 listing should cover more than just architecture - it should cover the character and use of a building too. Saying you've complied with building regulations because you've preserved some of the bricks and mortar goes for naught if you can change it from a pub to the entrance lobby of a block of flats. Same goes for all the London concert venues that are being closed too. If there's a last night lock-in - count me in!
- Alec, London, UK, 10/04/2007 15:03
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To lose this classic London pub with all its character and 'unique toilets' would be a travesty not only for the Strand but for half of my office - where can we go to have a drink away from the Bosses and their prying eyes! I am off there now to voice (and drink) my support!
- David Broughton, London, 10/04/2007 13:50
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The Nell is a hidden gem and it would be a tragedy to lose it. The juke box, staff and atmosphere is brilliant.
- Hannah, London, 10/04/2007 09:04
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They're going to kill off a fantastic pub and replace it with offices and apartments along-side the chain shops and clinical bars in and around the Strand - this way there'll be no reason what so ever to go into the centre of London any more, we may as well just stick to all the other cloned town centres.
- M, Middlesex, UK, 08/04/2007 18:50
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I really hope that Mrs Murphy is succesful in keeping the Nell Gwynne running, although I have never been there it is appalling that so many traditional London pubs are closing or being refurbished into "trendy" wine bars.
Good luck!
- Ceri Harrington, London, UK, 05/04/2007 12:27
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