London's iconic India Club that has been the meeting point for influential Indians over the years, including during India's independence struggle, has been saved from being demolished after Westminster city council threw out a planning application because of its cultural and historical importance.
The freeholders, Marston Properties, had planned to expand and modernise the Strand Continental Hotel, which occupies the same six-storey central London building as the post-colonial restaurant and bar, to create modern tourist accommodation.
The India Club was founded in 1951 by Indian politician Krishna Menon. Lady Mountbatten and India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, were founding members. The club played an important role in nurturing relations between India and the UK from the 1950s onward. Originally located in Craven Street nearby, it has long served as a meeting place for public figures and since 1964 has been located on The Strand in its current location.
The owners of the India Club, Yadgar Marker and his daughter Phiroza, hoped that Historic England would protect the building with listed status, but in May the decision went against them, putting them in serious doubts.
At a meeting the four members of Westminster planning committee unanimously voted to reject the planning application, on the grounds of the India Club’s significant cultural, historical and community value.
Councillor Tony Devenish, chairman of Westminster’s planning applications sub-committee reportedly said: “Westminster council refused permission for the redevelopment of 143-145 Strand due the potential loss of an important cultural venue located on its site, the India Club. The India Club has a special place in the history of our Indian community and it is right that we protect it from demolition.”
