Foxtons hoping to take over site of 250-year-old Elephant & Castle pub

The Elephant & Castle pub is looking like it could be replaced with a branch of the estate agent Foxtons. 

 

The pub – which stands on the site of the original tavern that some argue gave the area its name 250 years ago  – closed earlier this year when its licence was revoked after a customer was stabbed in the head with a pen. 

 

But now Foxtons is hoping to take over the premises.

 

According to community website LondonSE1, the estate agent notified Southwark planners on April 16 of the plans. 

 

However it could be yet thwarted in its move, if it is nominated as a “community asset” within 56 days of the request. If that happens, Foxtons will require planning permission to change the use of the building.  

 

Despite the pub's recent history it could well gain that support. There is a record of a meeting in 1765 that names the tavern, and many believe it was the reason for the unusual name of the south London hub, which is currently undergoing significant regeneration.

 

Foxtons is not particular popular in south London: the Brixton's branch has had its windows smashed in on more than one occasion and there have been plenty of objections to its plans to open another branch just down the road in Peckham Rye.