Waterloo station is getting a brand new pub, named after one of many exhibition pavilions from the Fifties Competition of Britain.
The Wetherspoons pub might be in The Sidings, the newish buying centre beneath the previous Eurostar platforms, and might be referred to as The Lion & the Unicorn, after the Competition of Britain pavilion of the identical title.
The Lion and Unicorn Pavilion. Nationwide Archives ref: WORK 25/209/D1/FOB3887
The pavillion was a big modernist glass fronted constructing that stood simply behind the Royal Competition Corridor (the place Whitehouse Backyard is at present) and was meant to indicate off “British character and custom”, with the big open constructing atrium stuffed with reveals, opening, clearly with a big heraldic lion and a unicorn, made by Fred Mizen.
Elsewhere, the pavilion instructed the story of the English language, with examples from Shakespeare and the Bible, whereas one other (since misplaced) mural confirmed off the English countryside. Many of the remainder of the constructing targeted on British traditions, with reveals on freedom ‘of worship’, ‘democracy’, and ‘underneath the legislation’.
Though primarily an exhibition house, the pavilion additionally included an out of doors restaurant.
Following the closure of the Competition, the constructing was almost saved with a plan to maneuver it to South Kensington, however it was finally demolished to save cash.
Whereas the pavilion has lengthy since vanished, the title will return within the type of a Wetherspoons pub in Waterloo station.
Pub inside (c) Wetherspoons
The pub’s inside is claimed to be impressed by the unique pavilion. Historic pictures and particulars of native historical past, in addition to art work and pictures of native scenes and characters, might be displayed within the pub, some following collaborations with native artists and the Southbank Centre, with different connections to the important thing figures who as soon as introduced the 1951 competition to life.
The pub will open on Tuesday third September 2024.
It should then be open from 6.30am till 12 midnight Monday to Thursday, from 6.30am till 1am on Friday and Saturday and from 7.30am till 12 midnight on Sunday.
It is possible for you to to seek out it in The Sidings, which is slowly changing into much less abandoned than it was when it opened.
This text was printed on ianVisits
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