Project of the week

The Dickason family first established the Newlands Tavern in the growing London suburb of Nunhead. From the 1870s, the tavern was managed by Truman’s Brewery, an East London institution, who rebuilt the pub in 1937 to a design described by a local newspaper as ‘most modern and elaborate’. Among the new pub’s innovations was a ballroom designed for an audience of 150 concert goers.

The pub survived heavy bombing in the area during World War Two to emerge as a music venue that played an important role in the early development of punk-rock. It continued as a venue – later better known for acoustic and folk gigs – but as the neighbourhood changed, business suffered. Then, in 2011, the pub was threatened with closure and demolition.  

A local group formed to save the pub. They worked with Historic England to rapidly list the rare surviving 1930s interior and fundraise from social investors and the community. In 2013, the Ivy House became London’s first community-owned pub and performance space.

Today, residents and visitors come to the Grade II listed Ivy House for its craft beers and homemade pizzas, gigs and film nights, karaoke and quizzes. They host festivals and fundraisers, book clubs and knitting groups, demonstrating how a pub can form the heart of its community. 

'The pub is the heartbeat of the community. Without it, the area is merely a centreless collection of streets and houses. Now, all roads lead to the pub, whether you are five or eighty-five. Being community owned brings a strong sense of security and pride. It is our pub. The community owns The Ivy House, but The Ivy House drives the community.’ 

Hugo, Shareholder