The Review - MUSIC - grooves with CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 10 July 2008
Lord Large signs the petition with Ruth Mottram
Hawley campaign hots up down on Hop Farm
NEVER has the Beatles song With A Little Help From My Friends had truer meaning than over the past two weeks when the stars came out in force to support their favourite pub, the Hawley Arms. The fire-ravaged pub in Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, has been lying empty ever since February’s blaze gutted it, leaving Amy Winehouse, Razorlight and the rest forced to find unfamiliar bar stools elsewhere.
While the Hawley’s owners have been battling to get planning permission their friends have been campaigning to get their favourite watering hole up and running again. Two weeks ago owners Ruth Mottram and Doug Charles-Ridler took a banner to Glastonbury, handed out badges, and got people to sign their petition.
They also went to the Mighty Boosh festival at the Hop Farm this weekend.
In return they got some of their starrier mates to sign a petition and wear “Save the Hawley” T-shirts, including Noel Fielding and the rest of the Mighty Boosh.
Other friends to add their name to the cause included Katie Melua and Drew McConnell from Babyshambles.
The pub gained a reputation as the destination of choice for most of London’s musicians – and some Hollywood starlets – and has been much-missed since its untimely closure.
Facebook pages are also still regularly going up asking for its restoration – now all that’s left is for Camden Council to give Ms Mottram’s and Mr Charles-Ridler’s architect the thumbs up and Camden’s bands will rediscover their spiritual home.
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