The landlord of the India Club at 143-145 Strand, WC2, is calling on the culture secretary to reject calls to list the building over concerns a campaign to protect it from redevelopment has misrepresented the club’s history.
Culture secretary Matt Hancock is expected imminently to review a Historic England recommendation on whether to grant an application to list the eight-storey building, after a petition was signed by more than 20,000 people to prevent Marston Properties from modernising the property and turning the second-floor restaurant and first-floor bar into a hotel.
Marston Properties, which owns the building’s freehold, submitted a planning application to Westminster council in September to refurbish the interior, expanding the hotel functions, and extending the property to the rear while maintaining its facade.
Campaigners, led by the leaseholder of the property, which is home to the India Club Restaurant and Hotel Strand Continental, argue the building and its uses should be maintained to preserve the rich cultural history they represent as a meeting place for writers, intellectuals and politicians associated with India’s independence.
However, Marston Properties argues the petition is misleading because it does not say the India Club began at 25-30 Craven Street, WC2, a separate building which is already listed by Historic England.
The developer says it wants to refurbish the interior of the property to make it safe, and is happy to consider keeping the restaurant.
It also claims the petition falsely states the club has retained its original features, as none of the interior dates back beyond the mid-1960s, with many of its current fixtures and fittings dating back less than 20 years, while the club was founded in 1946.
Caroline Marston, managing director of Marston Properties, said: “This misrepresentation of the facts via social media has caused us, as a small, family-run business, significant concern.
“Contrary to some false reports, there are no plans to demolish the building.
“The end of a lease gives us our only opportunity to ensure the property meets all current fire and safety standards that we have an obligation to address in order to protect the needs and safety of its users.”
To send feedback, e-mail Louisa.Clarence-Smith@egi.co.uk or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette
