Lewisham Council has given formal planning permission to Phoenix Community Housing Co-op to restore the Grade II listed Fellowship Inn, Bellingham, where British boxing legend and local resident Henry Cooper once trained and where rock legends Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac once performed.
Bellingham councillor and Phoenix Board Member Alan Hall (see photo) said: “I am simply delighted. We have been given the green light to renew and restore one of London’s historic, landmark pubs.
“Once completed, we expect to see The Fellowship quickly become the beating heart of the community with so much life and activity. I can’t wait for the work to begin.”
The mock-Tudor pub was built in the mid-1920s to serve the residents of the London County Council’s newly built Bellingham estate and part of the ‘homes fit for heroes’ promise by Lloyd-George after the First World War.
As well as the pub itself, the building will have a restored dance hall, cinema and theatre and a new lift to make the community hub fully accessible. The project was awarded £4 million from the Heritage Lottery fund in October.
ENDS
Editor’s Notes:
The planning committee met on Thursday, 17th November. The full report is here
Click on the link for information on the Heritage Lottery Fund Grant is here