Thousands rally against planned redevelopment of pub which offers 'refuge' by Royal London Hospital

The Good Samaritan: 'A place of sanctuary' for doctors and patients
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Mark Chandler22 May 2016

Thousands of medics, patients and locals are campaigning to stop the redevelopment of a pub at an east London hospital that offers "comfort and refuge to those who've just been dealt the worst news of their lives".

The Barts Charity plans to create four new flats on the upper floors of the Good Samaritan pub next to the Royal London Hospital, add an extension and redesign the boozer beneath.

Its plans promise to bring the 1937-designed building, for which it has the freehold, into “the 21st century” and give the Whitechapel pub “a new life” while retaining its historic features.

But a petition against the development has been signed by more than 2,800 people in just one week, including current and former hospital staff, who describe it as a “place of sanctuary”.

Chris Mills, who started the petition, said it was one of the last remaining pubs in the area, warning a piece of history could be lost through further gentrification.

He wrote: “The Good Samaritan has been an institution of the East End for nearly 100 years.

“Serving the staff and medical students and seen as a rite of passage to some, the Good Sam's has cemented its reputation as the social heart of the local hospital community.

“Being as close as we are to the Royal London Hospital we also serve as a place of comfort and refuge for those who've just been dealt the worst news of their lives.”

One supporter described celebrations there as a tradition for generations of medics who had passed their exams or just wanted to unwind.

Nicola Buckley wrote: “This public house has been part of East End history and to destroy all that is for 2/3 flats and totally gut the inside which holds all this history is a disgrace.

“We are slowly losing the history and heritage of the East End just to accommodate more overpriced flats.”

And Katherine Lee said: “My parents met here when they were training at the Royal London and my dad proposed to my mum in the Good Samaritans.

“I drank there when working at the Royal London and still visit today.”

But a spokesman for the charity said it wanted to improve the pub "in line with the principles of good management".

He said: "The charity recognises the importance to the community of the presence of the pub, which is why the development has been designed to incorporate the newly remodelled pub.

"In the short term the charity intends that the Good Samaritan will continue trading under the existing management."

The spokesman added: "The plans, which can be seen on the Tower Hamlets website, show that the original facade will appear virtually identical from the outside, with the extension to the rear in a similar style.

"The impact on the streetscape will be therefore minimised, but the area will benefit from the enhancements."

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