The Apple Tree’s popularity grew after opening in 2013 but it has stood empty since the pandemic

PUB campaigners are railing against plans to turn a bar into a showroom, telling planning officers not to believe that they are unviable.

The Tribune revealed in February how The Apple Tree, near Mount Pleasant, would not reopen after its closure since Covid.

But the Campaign for Real Ale have told Camden’s planners – the building is just over the border – that more must be done to protect the building’s use as a public house.

John Cryne, one of the group’s north London members, said: “It is Grade II-listed and this should, on its own, be a significant reason in preventing its change of use.

“We need our pubs for the value they add to our community and should not allow them to lose this value by conversion to a showroom. We have recently seen closed pubs reopening under management by operators who know how pubs should be run and how they can add value to their locality. It can be done.”

The Apple Tree had been seen as an alternative, non-conformist venue, which for many had been a first step in exploring London’s LGBT+ nightlife.

Its popularity grew after opening in 2013 but it has stood empty since the coronavirus crisis.

The past management had said that work was needed to the building but documents now show that it has been sold to a new owner – and now a planning application to change its use is live at the Town Hall.

An eco-decking firm called Ecoscape want to make it a new showroom.

Hywel Bevan, another opponent to the change who has complained to the council, said: “Closures should in general be resisted. This is a busy area and there is an enormous new residential development at the Mount Pleasant sorting office.

“These residents need and deserve local services and pubs supply an important one of these services.

“The Apple Tree is an important asset of community value – even if it has not been registered as one – especially given the forthcoming large influx of local residents.

“From the pub’s point of view, there is no reason why it should not be a great success.”

The pub had moved its operations to a successful “pop-up” at Clerkenwell Green, but this stopped running two years ago.

The applicants said in paperwork filed at the council: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and increased running costs, like many pubs in the UK, it was no longer viable for the business to keep operating.”

But Will Mowat, another objector who wants to see the building kept as a bar, said: “Don’t fall for the old developers’ trick, claiming that the pub is unviable.

“In the right hands, no pub is unviable.

“It therefore seems perverse and very wrong to permanently delete the pub premises simply because the right team has not been found to run the business.

“Future generations will thank you for preserving these premises as a pub.”

Camden’s planners are currently reviewing the proposed changes with a decision due soon.