The Prince of Wales to become car showroom
by Amanda Goff, reprinted from The News, Merton, South London, May 2, 1997
A popular pub used by the cast of the TV series The Bill could be demolished and replaced with a car showroom.
Regulars have handed Merton Council a petition to try and save The Prince of Wales in Morden Road, South Wimbledon.
Fumes, access and the loss of "a fine Victorian building" and friendly community pub were top of the list of complaints made by campaigners.
Customer Robert Page said: "The battle has begun. The Prince of Wales is an institution. It's been our local for 12 years. We do not want a car showroom to take its place."
And regular Peter Hemlich said: "The Prince of Wales is a proper local pub. It has a real community feel to it for everyone who lives and works nearby.
"With all these new bars opening up everywhere, pubs like this one are hard to find. It will be a great loss."
American pub owner Don Younger, who owns the Horse Brass Pub in Portland, Oregon said: "I bring people from America over here just to visit this pub, which is twinned with mine. We'll all be heartbroken -- it's like a family to us.
"The pub brings people over to this country who would never have the opportunity to visit it otherwise. The sistership between us is very strong."
A spokesman from The Bill added: "The cast go in there a lot. It is a very discreet place; so close and convenient, and they know they won't be disturbed. What a shame."
Youngs Brewery is selling the pub because it is losing money. "Trade has gone down progressively over a number of years. We could have spend thousands on revamping it but we were not convinced there was trade in the area," said a spokesman.