A Victorian pub on the edge of Hampstead Heath could make a welcome return, more than 15 years after it closed.
Fruition Assets, which owns the former Swain's Wine Bar & Store in Parliament Hill, has applied to Camden Council to allow the premises to operate as a traditional public house again.
The building on the corner of Highgate Road and Swain's Lane was the Duke of St Albans pub from around 1859 until 2008, before it became the Carob Tree Greek restaurant and then a wine bar.
After the "failure" of two restaurants, Fruition said it has chosen pub operator Grace Land Group, which is behind The Earl of Essex in Islington and The Axe in Stoke Newington, to run it.
In its submission to Camden Council, the owner said polls showed strong demand among residents for a classic “muddy-boots/traditional pub”.
To enable it to trade as a pub again, Fruition hopes to remove licensing conditions stating that between 8am and 11pm, alcohol can only be served by waiting staff and to customers eating meals while seated at tables, or up to 10 people permitted to stand while waiting for a table.
Fruition is applying to sell alcohol from 8am to 11.30pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until 12.30am on Friday and Saturday.
There are two objections on Camden’s licensing portal, with both saying alcohol sales should not begin too early as there are several schools nearby.
One said: "Late opening would change the character of the neighbourhood and encourage disruptive behaviour.”
Business group Swain’s Lane Retail Forum supports the application. Its submission said: "A pub makes total sense in this location opposite the heath, and at the centre of our community, and the vast majority of local people are very keen to get it back."
The building has been closed since last April, when tenant Swain's Wine Bar & Store was served notice for "non payment of rent" and "breach of fire regulations".
Highgate ward councillor Lorna Russell is backing the return to a pub.
She said: "I believe turning the premises back into a pub - as it historically was for 150 years before it closed in 2008 - would be an asset to the community.
"It would add to the vibrancy along Swain's Lane and would be a welcome addition to the ecosystem of services available on this high street both for local residents and visitors alike."
The application is due to be decided at a licensing meeting on Thursday (January 18) at 10am.
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