Award-Winning South Wimbledon Pub Is Permanently Shut
Campaigners fear The Trafalgar will now be demolished
The award-winning Trafalgar pub in South Wimbledon, which closed temporarily earlier this summer, is now permanently shut.
Pub operator Rodger Molyneux is understood to have been put into a position of no longer being able to trade in the popular High Path establishment.
In May the pub, recently managed by Rodger's daughter Rowan, had won an award from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for the success of its takeaway beer operation during the first two lockdowns.
But the doors closed for the final time soon after CAMRA's May 25 presentation event. The Trafalgar was CAMRA's South West London pub of the year in 2017 and London pub of the year in 2008.
Tony Hedger, from CAMRA, said: "The pub was still viable and, were the matter still in Rodger's hands, it would still be open. I'm sure all former customers wish him the best of luck and also comiserate with him over the loss of his home".
The uncertainty of the on-going High Path re-deveopment is also thought to have been a factor in Mr Molyneux's decision. He hopes to be back in the pub trade in the area as soon as he can.
The fate of the building is currently unknown, but Mr Hedger says CAMRA fears its demolition is almost inevitable. Merton Council has refused an application from CAMRA's South West London branch to list it as an Asset of Community Value.
The main part of the single room pub dates back to the 1806s, with the extension added in 1906. Historically it was nicknamed 'The Threepenny Hop' as it was said that men who occasionally hop over the fence from the former Merton Abbey railway line for a threepenny pint.
Mr Molyneux has put all the pictures and decorations from 'The Traf', as it was more recently nicknamed, into safe storage.
August 16, 2021