The Pineapple, Kentish Town
The Pineapple is a pretty and popular back-street pub, but in 2001 it was sold to a developer under the proviso that the ground floor remained as a pub.  However, the developer decided to apply for a change of use and convert the entire property to residential and office use. An action group was set up and the campaign gained a great deal of publicity by enlisting the support from the likes of Ken Livingstone and local MP Frank Dobson. The campaign successfully argued that the property should be granted Grade II listed status and the council refused the developers application to change the use of the property. Consequently pub was sold, thankfully to someone who wished to continue running it as a pub.
More information is available here.
The Fountain, Tottenham
Tottenham isn’t blessed with many good quality pubs and around Seven Sisters numerous have been closed and demolished, predominately to make way for housing. When it was discovered in 2004 that The Fountain was also set for demolition, support was mobilised to protect this popular pub. Indeed, the key to the success of the campaign to save the fountain was to argue that the pub’s closure would be a loss of a valuable community facility.
A public meeting was organised and thousands of leaflets were distributed. Local residents associations offered support and campaigners attended planning meetings to voice their concerns. In the end, is was Haringey Council's new ‘Unitary Development Plan’ which was key. This council objective states that “Good community facilities are essential to the fabric of a successful, healthy and inclusive society” and that the change of use or demolition of a community facility will only be granted in very specific situations. More information is available here. What to do if your local pub is under threat of closure >>
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