Hammersmith Ram Pub Bingo Hall Proposal Withdrawn in West London 2026

Key Points

• Closure of the Pub: The historic Hammersmith Ram pub on King Street was shut down in July after being sold by Young & Co.’s Brewery to Hammersmith Realty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Arora Family.
• Unauthorized Discount Store: Following its closure, the building was temporarily occupied by a discount store without the requisite planning permission until it vacated on October 15.
• Bingo Hall Proposal: Real estate company LCE Property subsequently submitted an application to transform the premises into a bingo hall, arguing it would serve as a community-oriented leisure venue.
• Application Withdrawn: As reported by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, LCE Property has withdrawn its proposal following intensive local opposition and a petition signed by over 600 residents.
• Local Backlash: Hammersmith Broadway councillors Molly Mantle and Callum Nimmo celebrated the withdrawal as a victory for the community, emphasizing that King Street requires a proper pub operator to complement ongoing area regeneration.

uk/local/hammersmith-and-fulham/hammersmith/">Hammersmith (West London Times) November 4, 2026 — Plans to convert a historic West London pub into a bingo hall have been officially withdrawn just weeks after the controversial transformation of the prominent site was first proposed, leaving the building’s future uncertain.

Why Were the Plans for the Hammersmith Ram Withdrawn?

As reported by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, real estate company LCE Property had applied for a change of use for the Hammersmith Ram, located on King Street. The application stated that a bingo hall would attract patrons of all ages and function as a community-oriented venue.

Mohan Sidhu, a Director at LCE Property, previously stated to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the proposal would maintain the exterior look and feel of the premises while pivoting toward a leisure-focused operation. However, following mounting local pressure, the application was withdrawn.

How Did the Property Transition from a Pub to a Discount Store?

The closure of the venue, affectionately known locally as the ‘Ham Ram’, began in July when Young & Co.’s Brewery sold the freehold to Hammersmith Realty Ltd, an arm of Ealing-based property firm Arora Family.

Within weeks of the sale, the building reopened as an unauthorized ‘Discount Store’, operating without planning permission. This development drew sharp criticism from local residents and councillors, prompting Hammersmith and Fulham Council to contact the property owners.

A spokesperson for Arora Family explained that a temporary occupier had been taken on to mitigate issues such as squatters moving into the vacant building. The spokesperson added that the long-term plan for the site remained operation as a pub. Furthermore, Arora Family stated they had notified the council and intended to flag the unauthorized occupation case to the police. The spokesperson stated,

“We hope the building remains secure while the planning process and its longer-term future are determined.”

What Was the Justification Provided for the Bingo Hall Proposal?

In early September, LCE Property submitted formal plans to transform the building into a bingo hall, a move that appeared to conflict with Arora Family’s stated intention to preserve the pub use.

Mr Sidhu explained that the proposed facility would operate similarly to a Buzz Bingo, emphasizing a social atmosphere alongside a prospective application for an alcohol licence.

Planning documents submitted alongside the proposal argued:

“Beyond the gambling aspect, these venues act as vital social hubs that encourage local interaction, build relationships, and help reduce loneliness for participants. It reuses commercial floor space, causes no unacceptable amenity impacts and enhances vitality and viability in our ever declining high streets.”

Following the planning application, the temporary discount store announced it would vacate the premises, with its final trading day occurring on October 15. An Arora Family spokesperson confirmed that Retail 11, the company managing the store, was given notice due to planning and agreement complications arising from retail use.

How Did Local Councillors and Residents React to the Developments?

The withdrawal of the planning application was met with strong approval from local representatives. Hammersmith Broadway councillors Molly Mantle and Callum Nimmo issued a joint statement celebrating the outcome.

As reported by Ben Lynch of MyLondon, councillors Molly Mantle and Callum Nimmo stated:

“This is a win for Hammersmith, and it belongs to everyone who signed our petition and objected to the proposal to turn it into a bingo hall.”

They added:

“We, alongside over 600 local people who signed our petition, were clear that a bingo hall was not the right future for the Hammersmith Ram, and that pressure has made the difference. We want to thank every single person who backed the campaign.”

Highlighting ongoing neighborhood improvements, the councillors noted:

“King Street is changing for the better. The new Civic Campus is making Hammersmith a destination place, with Unity Square, new homes, and Gail’s recently opening. More people are coming to King Street to eat, shop and spend time – which is exactly why the Hammersmith Ram deserves an operator who will make the most of it. We’re hopeful the owners will find one, and we’ll keep working to make that happen.”

At the time of publication, both Arora Family and Mr Sidhu had not responded to requests for further comment regarding the withdrawal and the future timeline for the building.

Background of the Particular Development

The recent trajectory of the Hammersmith Ram reflects broader economic and regulatory pressures facing traditional public houses across Greater London. The site on King Street had long served as a valued local community anchor before being put up for sale by Young & Co.’s Brewery. The subsequent acquisition by property developers set off a chain of events characterized by vacant commercial periods, unauthorized short-term retail occupancy, and competing commercial change-of-use proposals. Community resistance, organized via petitions and coordinated by local ward councillors, played a central role in halting alternative commercial conversions, keeping public focus fixed on restoring the historic building to its original hospitality function amid significant municipal regeneration along King Street.

Prediction

This development directly impacts local residents, community groups, property freeholders, and prospective commercial operators in West London. With the bingo hall application officially withdrawn and the unauthorized discount store evicted, the Hammersmith Ram building faces an extended period of vacancy while ownership determines its next steps. For the local community and councillors who campaigned against the conversion, the outcome preserves the possibility of securing a traditional pub operator aligned with King Street’s ongoing urban regeneration, such as the new Civic Campus and residential developments. However, unless the freeholders expedite a viable leasing agreement for hospitality use, the prolonged vacancy risks leaving a prominent commercial asset underutilized, potentially inviting further security challenges or unauthorized occupations similar to those experienced earlier in the year.