Blue Stoops, Kensington. Joint winner of the Conversion to Pub Use category
Pubs across Greater London celebrate grand designs in national CAMRA competition
Five London pubs from Fitzrovia to Kentish Town have won big in CAMRA’s prestigious Pub Design Awards, which recognises the UK’s most visually stunning, lovingly restored and historically significant pubs.
This year’s winning pubs range from a building which used to be a Victorian-era town hall to a street corner local built in the 1850s.
Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said:
“Despite the increasing pressure on the hospitality industry, people are still prepared to invest time, money, and energy into pubs and bars. The Pub Design Awards recognise the extraordinary amount of effort, the imagination and design, plus high-quality craftsmanship which have gone into all of these projects. In these troubled times, the pub still has a key role to play in our communities, and those who are working to conserve, repair and renovate them should rightfully be applauded.”
Shelly Bentley, Awards Committee Chair, added:
“From striking Art Deco wonders to inviting streetcorner locals, there are some beautiful pubs across the UK. Next time you are enjoying a pint, take a second to marvel at the skill involved in making these stunning spaces. In these difficult times for the industry, it is always heartening to see just how much people care about pubs. From volunteering to help renovate your local, to architects undergoing full-on conservation projects, it all means future generations can enjoy them too.”
Full list of London winners and judging notes below.
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Notes to Editors:
Photos of the winning pubs here.
Full list of Pub Design Awards winners here.
Conversion to Pub Use Award: Awarded to a building which previously was not a pub. It centres on the building’s character and historic features to capture a pub’s atmosphere and ambience.
Joint winner: Blue Stoops, Kensington
A conversion of the former Kensington Wine Rooms by Relic Interiors and Box Construction, commissioned by owner Jamie Allsopp, has completely transformed the building. The interior has been re-imagined with half-height partitions and glazed screening, plus new fixed seating, along with a revamp of the exterior with new signage and lighting. The striking new ceramic bar front featuring the historic Allsopp’s trademark is a major highlight to this latest addition of West London’s pub scene.
The Blue Stoops was named joint winner along with St Peter’s Tavern in Liverpool.
Refurbishment Award: Best refurbishment of an existing pub building, ranging from a complete gutting to enhancing the design of what was originally in the pub. Judges are looking for originality and imagination in the way the building is treated.
Winner: Leyton Engineer, Leyton
Originally Leyton Town Hall dating back to 1895, the Grade II-listed building was converted to a pub some years ago and has undergone an extensive refurbishment by Remarkable Pubs Ltd. With the restoration of historic features such as glazed screens and the mosaic and terrazzo floors, plus the installation of a new bar back and brass chandeliers have helped to create one of the most impressive pub interiors in East London.
Highly Commended: European, Leyton
Remarkable Pubs Ltd aimed to bring back the feel of a welcoming traditional pub to a building which had been stripped of most of its original features. The introduction of a traditional bar back, bespoke upholstered pew seating and the careful choice of the paint scheme both inside and outside have helped restore the aesthetic of a traditional Victorian pub, while the creation of an open kitchen on the ground floor has introduced a new focal point.
Commended: Duke of York, Fitzrovia
McMullen’s brewery stripped the building back to its bare bones and fully refurbished it, including repairs to fix the pavement from falling into the cellar! The outstanding feature of the pub’s refurbishment is the highly impressive ceramic tiled bar counter, which acts as the main focus in the ground-floor bar.
Community Local Award: Reserved for outstanding conservation or refurbishment of street-corner pubs at the centre of the local community.
Winner: Lord Southampton, Kentish Town
After being closed for a long time and in near-derelict condition, owners Aimee Brown and Phil Harrington took on the lease of the pub, (originally built in the 1850s) and underwent extensive repairs. The original floorboards and damaged wall-panelling were restored, the bar area was upgraded, and new hand painted signage was commissioned. It now offers spaces for local groups to meet and is at the heart of its local community.
Information about the Pub Design Awards here.
Historic England
Historic England is a public body that protects, champions and saves England's spectacular historic environment, helping people to care for, enjoy and celebrate history.
Learn more about Historic England here.
