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Gandalf conjures up support for campaign to save the George
Evening Standard24.04.08
Sir Ian McKellen is the latest famous name to join the fight to save a popular East End arts and music venue.
The actor, who played wizard Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings films, supports the campaign to stop a development next door to the George Tavern in Whitechapel.
Swan Housing wants to build 11 affordable flats but George landlady and owner Pauline Forster claims this would ruin her livelihood.
She rents out her upstairs rooms to artists, film-makers and photographers. The rooms are sought after because of their natural light which she says will be compromised if the plans go ahead.
Sir Ian, 68, has offered to raise awareness of the campaign as Tower Hamlets council considers whether to grant planning permission.
The campaign was started in January by Amy Winehouse and has gained the support of DJ Jo Whiley, who presented her VH1 show from the pub last week, Peaches Geldof and indie rock band The Guillemots.
Reader views (2)
Why is it always necessary that celebrities need to et involved? Why do councils never use common sense or normal thinking? What would be an "affordable falt" in London and who would benefit of those 11 flats? It is a shame that all these housing developments take over more and more sites in London. The flats are never affordable for the average or even slightly above average person. Shame you have those sort of incidents happen all the time but only very few find the support of celebrities trying to stop them. I hope they will be successful in this case. Even only one less development is already worth it.
- Michael, Isleworth
The 'Liberalati' and other 'Literati' were those who so opposed people worried about the massive housing developments taking over most of London. Only now, because one of these schemes directly affects them, ie, is in their own back garden as it were, do people like Sir Ian speak.
- Helen, Norwich
