Published: Tuesday 6 February 2024
A former pub that was one of London's earliest hubs for the gay community has been granted Grade II-listed status.
Why was the building listed?
The Boltons, on Earls Court Road, has been added to the Historic England register in recognition of the pub's elaborate "Flemish Revival" style and interior features such as its staircase and upper floor guest rooms.
Historic England also acknowledged the pub's role in the capital's LGBTQ+ history, including serving as a respite for gay people in the mid-1950s and being part of Earl’s Court’s thriving gay scene throughout the 1970s and 80s.
How was the application made?
The application to get The Boltons listed was made by planning officers from Kensington and Chelsea Council who had previously issued their first-ever Building Preservation Notice (BPN) to provide statutory protection to the pub’s historic features following an inspection visit in May 2023.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning and Public Realm said:
“The recognition of this historic pub as a listed site stands not just as a tribute to its architectural importance but also celebrates its role as a cherished hub within the LGBTQ+ community. The preservation of buildings like this one echoes our history and diverse communities in the borough”.
Kensington and Chelsea Council Planning and Heritage officers visited the pub earlier in May 2023 as part of a pre-application meeting and discovered the fabric and architecture of the building to be of significant heritage interest. Upon further research, officers found that the former building served as a respite for LGBTQ+ community during the 1950s and local archives suggested its strong links and connection to the area.
Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies & Archives team found both personal accounts and newspaper articles relating to The Bolton’s LGBTQ+ history, particularly from the 70s and 80s as they develop the Council’s first ever Earl’s Court LGBTQ+ Collection within the Archive.
To preserve and protect the character of the building officers took steps to secure a listed building status and issued the Council’s first-ever Building Preservation Notice (BPN) to designate it as a heritage asset as any redevelopment may have resulted in the loss of its historic features.
On 8 February 2024, the Council’s Archives and Proud Network colleagues will be celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month at the Chelsea Theatre with an inspiring evening of film screening, engaging Q&A and Queer Tango.
What is a Building Preservation Notice?
Building Preservation Notice (BPN) is a temporary measure whilst Historic England renders its decision as it only provides statutory protection for six months until a listing decision is made, which then offers permanent statutory protection.