Grosvenor Arms, London

Comfortable ground floor lounge bar with another upstairs which is available for functions. Licensed in 1834 and despite the name, never part of the Grosvenor estate, which covered 100 acres. Rebuilt in 1881 at a cost of £2,494.

The property company ‘Royal London Asset Management’, who acquired it from Punch (Spirit) in 2008, submitted a planning application to Westminster Council in 2010 to install a shop front (for retail use) at ground floor level with offices and a penthouse flat on upper floors. Westminster planning officers recommended refusal on grounds of loss of community asset and harmful effect on a conservation area but, before the report reached the Committee, RLAM lodged an appeal against non-determination within the specified time period, presumably reckoning that a Government planning inspector would be likely to be more sympathetic to approval (probably the case). CAMRA West London submitted an objection letter. In advance of the appeal hearing, however, the popular tenants were given notice in mid-March, resulting in the loss of yet another community pub with its welcoming atmosphere and live music.

Became Agent Provocateur - an International chain of boutiques with special-occasion lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear & accessories.