Hospitality & Commercial

The Fleet Tavern, NW3

Complete Pub Refurbishment — London

Client: Confidential
Location: Fleet Road, NW3, London
Project Type: Full Internal Refurbishment
Status: Completed — Client Reopened

Historic black and white photograph of The Fleet Tavern on the corner of Fleet Road, NW3, circa 1904 — The Fleet Tavern, Fleet Road NW3 — circa 1904. The building dates back to 1721 and was rebuilt in its current form in 1904.

Heritage

A Piece of Hampstead History

Listed by CAMRA as a historic pub interior of regional importance, the building's original ornate pressed-tin ceiling, Victorian cast-iron gantry and period stained-glass windows were preserved and restored throughout the refurbishment.

The brief

The Challenge

The Fleet Tavern is a historic London pub with original Victorian features including an ornate pressed-tin ceiling, a cast-iron gantry with clock, and period stained-glass windows. The client required a complete internal refurbishment that would modernise and refresh the venue while preserving the character, atmosphere and heritage details that make the pub unique. The works needed to be delivered on programme, with minimal disruption, and to a standard of finish that would impress both returning regulars and new customers.

Key Deliverables

Full strip-out and reinstatement of the bar counter and back bar
Removal, restoration and reinstallation of the original Victorian gantry (lifted using specialist equipment)
Bespoke carpentry: new booth seating, bar front panels and counter top
New flooring throughout the main trading area
Full redecoration — walls, woodwork and heritage features
New lighting scheme including period-appropriate hanging pendants
Coordination of all trades from start to completion
Handover of a fully finished, reopening-ready venue

Project progress

Photo Gallery

Oak bar counter in the final stages with green pendant lights, brass taps and stacked chairs — FINAL STAGES

Bespoke plywood booth frames under construction inside The Fleet Tavern — DURING

Original Victorian gantry lifted on specialist hydraulic equipment during refurbishment — DURING

New plywood bar shell taking shape beneath the original clock gantry — DURING

Mid-refurbishment view of the bar and protected floor at The Fleet Tavern — DURING

Slate-grey bar front with gold panel details during finishing works — DURING

Close view of the ornate Victorian clock gantry supported on lifting jacks — DURING

The Fleet Tavern exterior pub sign on Fleet Road against a blue sky — AFTER

The Fleet Tavern open for business with customers, wooden tables and the finished bar — AFTER — Open for Business

Project outcomes

What We Delivered

Heritage Preserved

The original Victorian gantry — complete with its cast-iron clock and ornate detailing — was carefully lifted using specialist equipment, restored, and reinstated to its original position.

Bespoke Craftsmanship

Every element of the new bar counter, booth seating and back bar was built to measure on site, combining traditional joinery techniques with durable, high-quality finishes.

On Time, On Standard

The full refurbishment was completed to programme. The client reopened on schedule to a fully finished venue — ready to welcome customers from day one.

We are extremely pleased with the transformation, the quality of the workmanship and the smooth, efficient delivery of the project. Alban Holloway managed everything from start to finish and delivered exactly what we asked for.

— The Fleet Tavern, NW3

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Special Edition

How We Refurbished a Historic London Pub Without Losing Its Soul

Read the full story behind The Fleet Tavern refurbishment, from preserving its historic character to reopening the finished venue.

Read the Special Edition