Important pub on Lee High Road (Lewisham/Greenwich borders) with extravagant terracotta facade in urgent need of a sensitive regeneration plan
Unlisted, 1896, architect unknown
The New Tiger’s Head opened as the Tiger Tavern in the late 1890s, within a year or two of the Old Tiger’s Head opening on the opposite corner of Lee Road. It replaced a bottle shop of the same name, which opened in the 1830s, and was designed to match the new standards of pub architecture in an increasingly urbanised London suburb. The pub remained popular with locals throughout the twentieth century, and remained in its original use, but ceased trading in 2005, and since then, the ground floor has remained empty. The building is currently on sale for £2.5 million, and following discussions with Lewisham and Greenwich councils some emergency works are taking place to secure the interiors from further damage. This, however, is not a long-term solution, and a strategy is urgently required to restore the building and, if necessary, prepare it for a sustainable new use.
Christopher Costelloe, The Victorian Society Director, said: “We are pleased to hear that the emergency works to secure the interiors are underway, but what this building needs sooner rather than later is a long-term plan for sensitive restoration. Whether commercial or residential, this well-situated and architecturally significant building has great potential for regeneration and we hope that inclusion in this year’s Top 10 will encourage potential buyers to come forward to save it.”
Status Update / March 2026
Two years after appearing on our list in 2017, the site was sold to a private developer, who explored various options for its reuse. It has since been converted to a food centre, accommodating a range of grocery units, street food stands, and market stalls.