A victory for common sense at historic pub

Sep 1 2010 By James Cracknell, Harrow Observer

victory pub

PINNER residents have won a battle to keep the historic name of the former Victory pub, despite it reopening as an Italian restaurant.

The High Street building, which dates back to Tudor times, opened its doors for the first time in 17 months on Monday under the new name, Zizzi At The Victory.

The Observer was allowed a preview of the restaurant's interior and can reveal that illustrations and local themes adorn the walls and fittings inside.

The company originally announced that it would simply be called Zizzi Pinner, but later decided to keep Victory as part of the name because of the strong attachment by locals to its history.

Restaurant manager Abbie Lahiffe said: "This is an old building and we know it is very important, so we have tried to keep the history.

"A lot of local people showed concern about us changing the name so we decided to call it At The Victory instead."

Londoner Lizzie Mary Cullen was commissioned in August to design the interior of The Victory with locally-themed artworks, and the influence of eccentric cartoonist Heath Robinson, a former Pinner resident, is apparent.

There is even an oversized lamp which Ms Cullen claims is something that Robinson would have dreamed up had he still been alive today.

The historic signs depicting the Battle of Trafalgar and Admiral Lord Nelson, from which The Victory is thought to take its name, have been taken down.

But Ms Lahiffe, 21, has promised that they will be re-used elsewhere within the building.

Elsewhere, a quotation of Admiral Lord Nelson - whose daughter, Horatia, lived in Pinner and who was buried in the old parish cemetery in

Paines Lane - is on the walls and a telescope stands by a window.

Ms Lahiffe added: "Hopefully when people come in they can see we have kept the history and that we care about it."

* What do you think about The Victory's relaunch? Email james cracknell@trinitysouth.co.uk.