Thursday 13 August 2015

'Derelict' Deptford

There's something chillingly cynical about the 'for sale' sign on the former Lord Palmerston pub on Childers Street which advertises the £1.3 million building as a 'freehold derelict pub for sale'.

'Derelict: (adjective) in a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect'

This building is so 'derelict' that it's currently being used as a site office by the contractor working on the conversion of the old SR House next door.



Yes, it's so 'derelict' that until very recently the upper storeys were occupied by property guardians who have been living there since the pub closed a couple of years ago. While I'm sure it's no des res, the building looks far from derelict to me and there's absolutely nothing in the sales information to back up this claim.

The subtext of this wording, of course, is 'ripe for redevelopment' and helpfully the agent selling it, Acorn Commercial, has included a rendering in the sales brochure as to what this redevelopment could look like. Look away now if you are of a sensitive disposition. 


The only positive note is that the rendering above does not represent an actual scheme with planning permission, it's just the tawdry imaginings of some back-room wage slave who dreamed of being the next Norman Foster but is more likely to become the next Norman Bates. 

It's not even a fair match for the grey horror on the right, which is intended to represent the redevelopment of SR House, currently under construction behind its retained facade. 

6 comments:

Rocklands ArtBeat said...

such lovely olde worlde charm, i wish "developers" (destroyers) would develop. restoration as regeneration. i go for walks to drink in as much joy as possible before more unlovely architectural sunshine blockers take vintage cultures away.

Brett said...

"It's just the tawdry imaginings of some back-room wage slave who dreamed of being the next Norman Foster but is more likely to become the next Norman Bates." <<< Hilarious! And sadly true.

Brett said...
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Brett said...
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puppies said...

I am one of the developers, who recently purchased the “Lord Palmerston” pub,
I have been following your website and appreciate your concern for design and heritage,
It is our aim to try and conserve the heritage and feel of the pub, unlike the design which was part of the sales particulars also showing above, you have to appreciate we are a business and are looking to make a profit which will result in increased volume, but one that will come hand in hand with community design sensitivity if possible.
We would like to encourage input and ideas from yourself and other readers on your website, in areas such as design and future usage of the commercial space.
We are hopeful that we can prove that commercial interest can exist alongside design sensitivity even in non-prime areas such as this one.

Unknown said...

Can you tell me what the future of this great pub