A Worcester Park pub was once a hub for music, quiz nights, and local gatherings before closing and being destroyed by a fire.
The Worcester Park Tavern, in Park Terrace, began life with the railway.
Worcester Park station opened in 1859, first called "Old Malden," then renamed in 1862.
Pubs followed passengers, and the wedge-shaped corner opposite the station quickly attracted licensees.
Records show a "Railway Inn" in 1871, evolving into the "Worcester Inn" by 1937, before the 1930s building locals remember emerged.
Designed as an “improved pub” for commuters and families, the Tavern offered a horseshoe bar, lounge and saloon areas, and a beer garden.
CAMRA described it as a “large 1930s pub” with original wood panelling surviving into later years.
The pub was a social hub with pool tables, TVs, low settees, high stools, and handpumps serving Courage Best, Greene King IPA, Young’s Bitter and London Pride.
There was jazz on Sunday lunchtimes, blues nights featuring acts like Sherman Robertson, and live performances that drew crowds from across south London.
There were also weekly curry nights, quiz nights, and music quizzes.
But it was sold in 2012, closing for good.
For seven years, it stood empty and was described as an “eyesore” by residents.
In the early hours of February 4, 2019, a fire broke out at the long-vacant building.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from New Malden, Sutton, Surbiton, and nearby stations battled the blaze for nearly three hours.
The building was completely destroyed, though there were no injuries.
The cause of the fire is unknown and was officially recorded as such by the London Fire Brigade.
That same year, a planning application proposed a five- to six-storey, 132-room hotel on the site.
Community opinion was split, but council officers supported the scheme, noting the pub's original A4 use was no longer viable.
The application was unanimously approved by Kingston Council in July 2019.
As of March 2026, the site remains an empty, fenced-off plot with no signs of major construction more than six years since the decision was approved.
