The Fellowship and Star in Bellingham isn't your average pub.
The pub was originally built in 1923, and was the first ever pub on a housing estate. It was part of the 'Homes for Heroes' development, which aimed to provide housing for first world war veterans and their families. The spacious pub also held a cinema and a live music venue — which saw Fleetwood Mac grace its stage.
They're not the only celebs to have graced The Fellowship. Boxer Henry Cooper used the pub as a training base before his fight with Muhammad Ali (back when he was still known as Cassius Clay).
Like many estate pubs, the Fellowship fell into decline. Then, in 2014, Phoenix Community Housing took over the freehold and successfully applied for lottery funding to restore the pub to its former glory — not just as a pub, but as a community venue that would regenerate the wider area.
It relaunched at the start of summer 2019, and these photos show just how much work had to be put in to the reopening.
The cobwebs have been dusted off the cinema and, now known as the Bellingham Film Palace, it's showing the latest blockbusters. And as it did back in the day, the pub now has live music playing once more.
Ignoring all these bells and whistles the pub is still just that. A pub. So if you're looking for a tipple in south east London, look no further.
The Fellowship and Star, Randlesdown Road, SE6 3BT.
