Grange Hill: The former Bald Hind public house

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 29 Apr 2011

The previous owners of the Bald Hind, the brewers Mitchells & Butlers, decided that the public house was no longer commercially viable, and it closed in February 2010. The new owners have submitted a planning application to Epping Forest Council to demolish it and build a four-storey block of 14 flats in its place. A glance at the old Ordnance Survey map of 1872 shows that a pub of that name existed on the site, at the junction of Hainault Road and Grange Hill, then. The current building is later, almost certainly Edwardian, and unfortunately is not listed. It is an indication of changing habits that in 1872, when there were few if any houses in the area, the pub survived on the passing trade, whereas in 2010, when it was surrounded by residential development in all directions, it was no longer a viable business proposition. Update January 2021 From Street View images the building was demolished sometime after July 2011 and before June 2012.

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