The event will take place at the pub today (Tuesday 16 August) at 6pm and the society has created a Facebook event for the meeting to help people object to the pub being knocked down.
The Victorian Society is a charity that champions Victorian and Edwardian buildings across England and Wales.
It is campaigning to save the Still & Star from being knocked down and argues that the pub is a “rare reminder of the city’s lost, intricate street pattern of courts and alleyways, and was illustrated by Gustave Doré in his illustration ‘a view of harrow alley’”.
Pub history
The society has also submitted an objection letter detailing the history of the pub, located in Little Somerset Street, and includes facts such as the site has been a pub since the early to mid-19th century and was known as a ‘slum pub’ – a simple dwelling that was converted to a rudimentary drinking establishment.
The letter concludes by saying: “The setting of numerous listed buildings needs to be considered, particularly 45-48 Aldgate High Street, which are all designated. These buildings date from late-17th and 18th centuries and so Little Somerset Street is obviously a key vestige of their historic context.
“Another monolithic and ugly office block next door in its place will seriously compromise their setting, thereby resulting in a high level of harm to two Grade II-listed buildings.”
Demolition application
The application has been submitted to the City of London by property consultants Gerald Eve LLP for the “demolition of existing structures and erection of a mixed use office building.”