The Tipperary pub on Fleet Street has reopened to the public after three years of closure, following repairs and preservation works to the building.
It will be the first of several new and restored pubs coming into operation over the next few years, as the Corporation continues its plan to entice workers and visitors into the Square Mile, throughout the week.
The Tipperary first opened in 1605 as The Boar’s Head and was renamed after it was bought by Irish pub group JG Mooney and Co. in the 1800s.
With its iconic green paint and Guiness signage, there have been claims that The Tipperary is London’s oldest Irish pub. The wood-panelled building is Grade II-listed and was bought by Greene King in the 1980s. It was then under private ownership for around a decade, before closing during the pandemic.
Property developer Dominus, which specialises in driving urban renewal, has led on delivering the restorative works. The ground floor now welcomes patrons to a quintessential Irish pub experience, starting with the original glass sign as you walk over the threshold. Alongside the original wooden panelling and heritage pub mirrors, The Tipperary now boasts a heritage-styled Guinness tap and offers an array of authentic real ales.
The first floor will soon play host to an Irish whiskey bar, showcasing a diverse selection of premium whiskeys. Furthermore, the courtyard space at street level has been reactivated, ensuring accessibility and welcoming the Fleet Street community and passers-by.
Re-imagining existing pubs within development schemes is a key part of the City Corporation’s initiative to turn the Square Mile into a seven-day-a-week visitor destination. Part of this includes negotiating with developers to provide new pubs in more prominent locations, with more trading floorspace, external areas, improved accessibility and striking architectural statements to catch the eye.
Chairman of the Corporation Licensing Committee, James Tumbridge, said:
“The is more than a place to work, it’s a place to socialise and build friendships. That is why protection of pubs like The Tipperary, an asset of both community value and historic significance, is a key priority for the City Corporation.
“I’m proud of the work that the City’s Licensing Committee is doing to help new venues establish themselves and thrive across the Square Mile. We look forward to the opening of new pubs and venues in the months and years ahead.”
Chairman of the Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said:
“I’m delighted to see The Tipperary back open for City workers and visitors to enjoy. The pub has always been a vital asset in the City and it continues to play an important role in making the Square Mile an attractive place to develop and invest.
“The City Corporation’s planning team is focussing on creating an environment where pubs can flourish. Through planning policy and approving developments which provide that much needed cultural and visitor infrastructure, we will make the Square Mile a 7-day-a-week visitor destination, for everyone.”
Principal Director of Dominus, Jay Ahluwalia, said:
“As a key part of Fleet Street’s heritage, re-opening The Tipperary is a milestone for this part of the city. By sensitively restoring the pub to its former glory, we have breathed life back into this cultural landmark, created valuable space for the local community and revived the streetscape.
I’m incredibly grateful to our team for their hard work in meticulously preserving The Tipperary’s original features, which was so fundamental to saving this formerly at-risk pub. But there is more to come as we look to deliver further upgrades and safeguard a sustainable future for The Tipperary.”
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