National recognition for Lewisham's Billiards Hall

The Victorian Society joined local people and members of the Ladywell Society fighting plans to demolish the Edwardian billiards hall, designed by Norman Evans, in November last year. Recognising the importance of the 1909-10 building, which shows influences from the Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement, Lewisham Council threw out the scheme to flatten it. Now the decision to list the hall should safeguard it from future plans to raze it to the ground.

‘This is excellent news,’ said Heloise Brown, Conservation Adviser of the Victorian Society. ‘The hall is a strikingly handsome example of early twentieth century architecture. It is clearly very popular locally and has a lot to contribute to Lewisham’s historic character. We hope that its new listed status will mean that it gets the care and protection it deserves.’