Plans announced for ‘community centre’ in former Norbury pub

New owners of The Norbury, the big old boozer on London Road that closed its doors nearly five years ago, have put forward a set of proposals for public consultation to refurbish the building as an Islamic community centre, to be called the Norbury Hive.

The landmark building on the main road between Streatham and Thornton Heath was built in the 1930s as a hotel.

The ownership of the building appears to have changed hands in the last 12 months for around £2.6million, and is now owned by a recently established development firm, London Road Norbury Ltd, which has the London Muslim Support Network registered as persons of significant control.

They say, “The site has been left derelict for several years and previously being run as a drinking facility and nightclub for over a decade.”

It was, in fact, what is more usually known as a pub, it had been run by the same family for 25 years, and was known for the massive Guinness signage over the front door, until they chose to shut up shop for good in the face of storm-force economic winds caused by covid.

The new owners say, “The building is in considerable disrepair and requires significant refurbishment. The original building in art deco style holds considerable architectural merit. Refurbishment will include returning it to its original style to enhance the high street and townscape views.”

The owners are gathering public responses to their own set of questions on a consultation website, in which they are offering a venue for “a new mix of rentable events and community spaces”.

These include a ground floor “event hall” and dining, with on the first floor a community hall, tuition centre, and a seniors club and youth centre, while on the top floor there will be a meeting room, fitness and health centre and something that they call a “Councelling Room” (sic).

They call their sketchy outline scheme an “evolving high-quality proposal”. In other words, they’re fishing for ideas and reactions that they can eventually take to the council’s planning department.

They say that their proposals include restoring “an iconic building, enhancing the current high street and townscape… Provides events and community spaces to suit the needs of a diverse range of community projects… Creates a welcoming urban realm… Creates employment opportunities for the local community”.

And they say, “We are committed to consultation with our local residents and the local community, it is important for us to understand your opinions and ideas.”

Locals say that The Norbury has “become a real eyesore” and a “blot on the High Street”, and is now in “a dilapidated state”, covered in graffiti.

There will be a open day to view and discuss the plans on Wednesday week, January 29, from 3pm to 7.30pm at the site, 1326 London Road, SW16 4DG.

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