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Date of photo: 2019	Picture source: Ian Chapman
The Old Justice was situated at 94 Bermondsey Wall East. This grade-II listed pub closed c2017, by which time it was known as The Winnicott.
The Old Justice, also known latterly as the Winnicott, in Bermondsey Wall East is a classic looking pub, built in the early 1930s for Hoare & Co’s brewery in the neo-Tudor style. The architect was Sidney C Clark, who is regarded as one of the most accomplished inter-war pub architects. Other pubs designed by Clark include the Old Red Lion, Kennington and the Daylight Inn in Petts Wood. The interior was of light oak, comprising a central servery separating the public bar and saloon bar, with no internal connection between the two. The pub became a Charrington’s house and was sold to developers Hamna Wakaf Ltd, who also own the nearby China Hall. It closed some time in 2017 and the owners immediately applied for planning permission to convert the pub to residential use. This was refused. CAMRA’s South East London branch staged a protest, supported by local councillors, and a local residents group was also set up with the aim of seeing the pub come under community ownership. This was supported by a petition containing 1,500 signatures. Shortly after, led by Pub Protection Officer, Neil Pettigrew, the branch succeeded in having the pub listed at Grade II by Heritage England. The listing noted that the pub was a ‘rare, particularly well-preserved example of a small-scale urban pub influenced by the improved pub movement’. Around the time that the notice of intention to list the pub was issued, the owners unlawfully ripped out the interior, which was included in the listing. Commendably, Southwark Council promptly initiated enforcement proceedings. The owners appealed but subsequently withdrew their appeal, thus avoiding a public inquiry. They accepted that the interior had to be restored. Under Southwark Council’s supervision, the remaining timbers and fittings were assessed to see what could be used in the reinstatement. Happily, there was a substantial amount, including a counter top and some panelling and glazing. Listed building consent was granted in July 2021 for the works to be carried out. This also included the installation of an internal connecting door between the two bars. Officers from Southwark Council continued to closely monitor the restoration and recently confirmed to the branch that the works had been completed to their satisfaction. This should be regarded as a considerable campaigning success. We are, of course, still some way from seeing the Old Justice reopen as a pub. It was being advertised for lease a few weeks ago but it is no longer on the original agent’s list. The local campaigners still want to see the pub reopen under community management. The local campaign group are incidentally called ‘No More Lonely Nights The Old Justice’, taking their name from the Paul McCartney song, the video for which was filmed inside the pub.
London Drinker magazine, December 2022/January 2023
Now reopened.
T C (May 2023)
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