The Emma Hamilton, Wimbledon Chase, SW20

four and five-storey blocks of flats with retail space are being built.

According to the local newspaper, Punch Pubco are planning to sell this pub, giving it an uncertain future. Apparently it is due to close next week. I have to say that it has got the look of a pub that hasn’t had any money spent on it for a while. The carpets are very grime encrusted in the bar area, paint is coming off the walls in a couple of places where bare areas of the walls indicate the removal of a picture or other decoration. None of the three handpumps had any ale on. Whether this sort of thing is a symptom of impending closure, or the cause of it, I can’t be sure. There are a couple of pool tables on the right, a cash machine, games machines and one-armed bandits abound; there are several TVs on the walls, showing some rubbish daytime TV to which nobody seemed to be paying any attention. Seating is standard banquettes and chairs, and normal tables. There are a few picnic benches outside at the front. This is a relatively new pub from circa 1962, named after Admiral Lord Nelson’s famous paramour of course. It had been intended that it was to be called The Earl Jellicoe, but the then owners, Watneys, took the unusual step of seeking views on the name from local residents, who plumped for Lady Hamilton instead. It’s not a good pub, and never has been one for as far as I can recall. Nonetheless I don’t like to see any pub disappear, and I hope that this one might just rise from the ashes into something better.