Families living near Kirstie Allsopp‘s husband’s pub have compared his renovation to ‘Poundland Prison Chic’ due to the railings outside the property.
Wentworth Andersen, Ben Andersen’s company, is transforming the former Ariadne’s Nectar Bar in north Kensington, London.
Residents have hit back at the proposals, claiming they are not in keeping with architecture in the area.
Under new renovation plans submitted by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council, the black railings would close off a front terrace.
One resident said: ‘Conservation area? Not any more. This is Gritty-Gate meets Poundland Prison Chic.
‘One would think, given the area’s historic character, we might aspire to a touch of restraint – or failing that, at least basic competence.
‘Instead, we have cheap black-painted metal railings bolted straight into the pavement with all the delicacy of a motorway crash barrier.
‘The effect is somewhere between prison chic and abandoned industrial park.’
Families living near Kirstie Allsopp’s husband’s pub have compared his renovation to ‘Poundland Prison Chic’ due to the railings (pictured) outside the property in north Kensington
One resident said: ‘Conservation area? Not any more. This is Gritty-Gate meets Poundland Prison Chic’
Kirstie Allsopp’s husband Ben Andersen has been criticised for his plans to reopen the Victorian pub
A second added: ‘The railings are all Victorian wrought iron, not steel. This is a cheap substitute, and quite apart from any railings not being appropriate to this site, they are not in keeping with a conservation area as documented.’
Wentworth Anderson bought the historic property in 2023 and is hoping to turn it back into a traditional pub.
In May, Location, Location, Location star Kirstie defended her husband’s plans to re-open the Victorian boozer – after locals claimed the venue would provide a ‘deluxe box seat’ for upskirters.
Mr Anderson had recently withdrawn plans to reinstate a historic lightwell at the property after locals complained it could be used for upskirting.
Lightwells were traditionally used to allow air and light into pub cellars, reducing the need for electricity.
In the initial plans, a lightwell was set to be put in place near the pub’s entrance, which caused fury among locals – including one who penned a 500-word missive on why the lightwell shouldn’t be allowed, describing it as akin to ‘a voyeur’s deluxe box seat’. Upskirting was made a criminal offence in 2019.
Wentworth Anderson bought the historic property in 2023 and are hoping to turn it back into a traditional pub
Mr Andersen since withdrew the plans, saying he will come up with an alternative.
Kirstie, 53, said there was a huge amount of support for the venture.
The TV star said: ‘We really really want to open that pub. The community wants us to open that pub. There is a need for that pub.
‘Wentworth Andersen very much hope to open that pub as soon as possible.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Wentworth Andersen for comment.
