Bob Steel, pubs officer for Sutton CAMRA who spoke in its favour at an unsuccessful attempt to save the building, called the demolition 'an act of pure vandalism'.
"Sutton's planning committee has allowed Youngs to demolish the finest building in a so-called area of 'Special Local Character' and replace it with a mediocre modern block.
"In my view there was there little serious attempt to retain the building as a public house, but letting the building itself go is totally inexcusable" he continued.