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How a renovated 100-year-old pub is restoring a sense of community
A once-famous south London pub has been restored to its former glory, thanks to resident-led housing association Phoenix. Here, Anne McGurk explains how the community venue is giving people a voice again
“Ten thousand people on a recent bank holiday tried to get into a new public house at Bellingham, one of the outer suburbs of London. It was the Fellowship Inn.” The Yorkshire Post, June 1924.
The London correspondent at The Yorkshire Post went on to describe this “advance on the usual type of public house”, emphasising its spaciousness, the provision of food cooked on the premises, live music and an “inspiriting note of cheerfulness… it is permissible for a man to take his wife and children, who can have their food and drink ‘en famille’. All sorts of social gatherings are arranged – whist drives, concerts, and dances.”
From 1919 social housing spread throughout the country. This pub was designed with the ‘fellowship’ of the new community in Bellingham in mind.
A place for friends, family and neighbours to meet. A place to connect, and to feel safe and part of something greater than themselves.
That was then. The 1960s were the Fellowship Inn’s heyday, with Henry Cooper training at the pub before his fights with Muhammad Ali and bands such as Fleetwood Mac performing on stage.
But a steady decline into the 21st century followed, until all that was left was a shell of a building with a small bar and a handful of regulars.
Step in Phoenix Community Housing.
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Those 1920s Bellingham Estate architects knew the importance of amenities for people to enjoy and places to socialise. They understood the value of shared space to network and explore possibilities; to support, challenge and develop a community vision and voice.
Phoenix, with local residents at its centre, recognised the continuing value of the Fellowship Inn to the community 100 years on and purchased it with a view to renovate.
Quite a radical decision for a medium-sized resident-led housing association.
Phoenix is about partnership and that has been the way forward in the renovation of the Fellowship Inn.
Our biggest partner is the National Lottery Heritage Fund, but there were many others on the way to the pub’s restoration: Lewisham Council, pub operator Electric Star Group, the Arts Council, local schools, community groups and many more.
“The 1960s were the Fellowship Inn’s heyday, with Henry Cooper training at the pub before his fights with Muhammad Ali”
Before any major renovation decisions were made, the local community was consulted.
It was their decision to include a cinema on the site. Yes, the building is that big. Also part of the new Fellowship and Star Inn is disabled access to all floors, including the cinema, performance space, bars and cafe.
Bellingham residents have kept a strong sense of community through periods of war, social change and austerity. They have embraced and taken ownership of the arts projects surrounding the pub’s renovation – telling the story of their community and the Fellowship Inn in words, pictures, music and drama.
All ages, cultures and races rose to the challenge of producing a community tapestry for display at the Fellowship.
The soundscape escorting visitors around the building involved residents, as did the community play Jam Tomorrow. Drama students, residents and Phoenix staff created a play with the pub in the starring role.
Three local primary schools made lanterns and paraded down the high street singing and chanting about the Fellowship Inn and Bellingham, stopping outside the inn to let off fireworks in celebration.
I expect very few of you reading this will have heard of Bellingham. I believe the Fellowship and Star will begin to change that.
Being next door to a railway station, with food, films, bands, comedy, music and a wide choice of drinks, it is becoming a venue of choice for south Londoners.
The venue is also a place where local people have reawakened their voice, their determination to make a difference, and their ability to change their future and improve their environment.
Phoenix’s vision has always been to build a better future for our community.
Initially that was about bringing homes up to a decent standard and when possible to build more homes. But that was just the start. Yes, we are building, and we are doing so with Nye Bevan in mind, building dwellings with the highest possible standards.
“The local economy thrives. This attracts investment, and people are engaged with local issues and help shape the environment in which they live. A win-win investment in community”
We are also building for communities, for families of all kinds and single people – creating places where people want to live, work, socialise and create for many years. This is a vision we share with many other housing associations as members of the PlaceShapers group.
The Fellowship and Star employs local people and provides opportunities for local talent. This benefits us all.
The local economy thrives. This attracts investment, and people are engaged with local issues and help shape the environment in which they live. A win-win investment in community.
So, pop along when you get a chance.
Anne McGurk, chair, Phoenix Community Housing
