Hackney,
18
May
2015
|
10:01
Europe/London

Historic Chesham Arms Pub set to reopen

039savethechesham039campaigngroup.jpg

The historic Chesham Arms, Hackney’s first Asset of Community Value, will again serve the local community and the borough’s pub-goers after local publican, Andy Bird, signed a 15 year lease to refurbish and reopen the much-loved pub.

The latest milestone in the Chesham story comes a month after Hackney Council granted further planning protection to the 150-year-old building, and a hard-fought two-year legal battle by the ‘Save the Chesham’ group, who campaigned against the unauthorised change of use of the pub into a residential property.

Now, nearly 1000 days since the Chesham closed its doors, local publican Andy Bird, has signed a lease on the property to refurbish the ground floor and transform it back to a traditional east end pub.

Local pubs, like the Chesham, historically have been the focal point of the community, putting the heart and soul into a street for local people, that’s why it pains me to see pubs closing, some that have served for generations.

I want to transform the Chesham back into a traditional east London public house, reflecting its look and feel from when it first opened some 150 years ago. Its Asset of Community Value listing from the Council and the campaign by the ‘Save the Chesham’, is a beacon to others who want to see their local pub protected and reopened.

I’ve been welcomed by local people who visited the Chesham some 30 or 40 years ago, so it’s going to be a remarkable experience re-opening this landmark at the end of June, serving the local community once again.
Local publican, Andy Bird
This is a fantastic conclusion to the dramatic recent events that had been inflicted on the Chesham Arms. With a new publican now on-board, the treasured historic local landmark will once again open its doors to residents and visitors from across London. We must acknowledge the passionate and tireless efforts of the Save the Chesham campaign group, who made sure the Chesham Arms was never forgotten about and by calling on the support of their local Council, have helped save a historic location from residential development for future generations to enjoy.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Hackney Council
This is fantastic news and we wish the new operator all the best. We are delighted that a pub built when these streets were first laid out around 150 years ago can now continue to provide a warm welcome to local people for decades to come. After almost 1000 days closed, we are very much looking forward to our first pint back in The Chesham Arms.
Save the Chesham Campaign Chairman, Jonathan Sockett

In March 2013, the Council granted the pub ‘Asset of Community Value’ status, the first building in the borough to be given this protection, recognising the importance of the pub as social and community space. In March this year, the Council granted an Article 4 Direction on Chesham, which prevents any change of use away from a pub without full planning permission.