Last Orders at the Wenlock Arms?

Is it just me or is everything great under threat just now? No sooner had I just posted my heartfelt plea to save London’s beloved Velodrome, than I came across the urgent and terribly sad news that my favourite pub in London is about to bought by developers and possibly demolished.

Yes, the Wenlock Arms (est. 1835), which stretched a friendly, liver-spotted welcome hand out to me when I first came to London has had it’s final whistle. I never thought this would happen. Out of all the pubs in the London, this jewel had always been my ace under the tablecloth. It has never ever (not even once) let me down. Ragtime jazz on a cold Friday night to shake off a claggy week at work, especially fine ales that are kept superbly by staff with personality and a clientèle that has never even really bothered to check itself. You have always been welcome there whether you were a local, a builder, a CAMRA beardy or even one of the Shoredtich skinny jeans crew. Complete with a cricket team, a dog, salt-beef sandwiches and honest photo-montages of the last twenty years, the dusty old Wenlock has been my comfy arm-chair of the pub world.

It surprises me that a pub which commands such respect and is obviously so firmly etched in many people’s hearts can edge towards oblivion without more notice than it has. After an hour or two in the Wenlock, my heart fills with old-time glee and I’m at home in a city that otherwise tends to make you feel like a visitor.

People. I urge you to go now to the Save the Wenlock site and give it all the support you can. Spread the word. This cause is gathering a good head of steam at the moment and there is a chance that the old Wenlock could be saved as pub. Even if you haven’t ever been there, support the idea that you would like to be able to choose to go there at some point.

If my favourite pub in London and the velodrome goes… Well I think that might just be it for this city for me…