Pub campaigners hold ‘broken-hearted’ Valentine’s Day protest in Kilburn

Campaigners in Kilburn left broken hearted after a beloved pub was demolished by its owner last year held a protest to mark their first Valentine’s Day without it.

Locals gathered outside the Carlton Tavern in Carlton Vale, yesterday to mourn the loss of their favourite meeting place which was reduced to rubble by developers CLTX last April.

The company carried out the demolition job without permission from Westminster Council after town hall bosses rejected its bid to build residential flats on the site.

Maureen Pepper, from Rebuild The Carlton Tavern, said: “It’s Valentine’s Day and I should be looking forward to lovely drink at the Carlton Tavern with the love of my life as I did last year- but greedy developers have illegally demolished the Carlton Tavern so our beloved favourite pub is gone.

“The Chippenham Pub is also closed, as is The Elephant and Castle, The Prince of Wales on the Harrow Road, the Neeld Arms and The Flora.

“Valentine’s Day was very grim.”

Since the demolition CLTX has appealed the decision by the council to reject its plans and is also fighting an enforcement notice by Westminster Council to rebuild the pub “brick by brick”.

Last week the site became listed as an asset of community value by Westminster Council following a nomination by the Carlton Vale Phoenix Association Community Organisation.

Ms Pepper said: “We are delighted as this means if the land or the rebuilt pub is ever offered for sale, the community will have six months to try to raise the money to buy it.”

However CLTX has objected to the listing as it could devalue the land if the public inquiry overturns the enforcement notice.