Windsor Castle, London

CLOSED on 16th August 2016, reported as being as a result of a lease expiry. Future uncertain, but it has been further reported that the building has been acquired by a Saudi-based property company which wishes to turn it into flats. As of early 2018 a “Bailiff Possession Notice” dated 1st February 2018 was on the front of the building.

The premises license 14/08515/LIPT was transferred in 2014 to Manica Properties Limited (39 Peel Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 4LR) and in December 2014 this pub was reported as under possible threat. A planning application to convert the upper floors and add a further mansard floor, keeping the A4 use of the ground floor and cellar, to flats was refused by Westminster City Council August 5th 2016. A subsequent appeal was dismissed.

The Molyneux Street Conservation Audit of 2002 identified the Windsor Castle as an unlisted building of local merit.

It was a superb pub dedicated to the monarchy, with photographs and framed newspapers on the walls. It had a well-furnished lounge area with bric-a-brac and a model of the paddle steamer “Windsor Castle” in a glass case and a real (gas effect log) fire, which made for a cosy atmosphere in winter. The Windsor Castle was home to the world-famed Handlebar Moustache Club, founded in 1947 by Jimmy Edwards in his dressing room at the Whitehall Theatre, that met on the first Friday of each month for over 30 years at their permanently reserved table.