Bulldozed Rotherhithe pub's 'courage' sign finds new home on luxury apartments

A bulldozed Rotherhithe pub’s ‘Courage’ sign is set to find a new home on the side of a block of luxury flats by Tower Bridge. Punters campaigned to save the 12ft long letters from the bin when it was announced The Albion pub was to be demolished in 2019 and replaced with apartments.

Plans have now been submitted to Southwark Council to display the cleaned-up sign on the side of the Anchor Brewhouse - a former brewery turned into posh apartments by Shad Thames. The letters, which used to have neon lights illuminating the edges, will be lit up by three wall lights mounted to the side of the building by Tower Bridge under the proposals.

Brewing at the building which backs on to the River Thames ceased in 1981 and the Anchor Brewhouse was restored, adapted and converted into upmarket flats between 1985 and 1989. Two-bedroom apartments in the sought-after location market for £2.4 million.

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Planning documents submitted to the council by the Anchor Brewhouse Management Company say the location for the sign has been chosen to be ‘highly visible from both Tower Bridge and Shad Thames.

Documents continue: “Southwark Council were [sic] instrumental in finding a home in the public realm. The applicant put in an appeal for the sign and it was gifted to Anchor Brewhouse.

The sign has been cleaned but deliberately left imperfect, and consents have been secured from the office leaseholder, the Vault bar and the City Bridge Foundation. [...] Given the heritage of the sign, and the intention of celebrating its history, it makes sense that lots of people would be able to see it.”

Michael Robertson, a resident who campaigned to save the letters, told Southwark News in 2023 that he wanted the sign to stay in the community, rather than be sold off to a ‘swanky bar in Hoxton’.

The Albion’s ‘Courage’ sign was originally commissioned by Courage Brewery, which ran the Anchor Brewhouse prior to brewing ending at the site.

The council will make a decision on the application to mount the letter on the side of the Ancher Brewhouse at a later date.

Got a story? Email robert.firth@reachplc.com.

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