Historic Building Recording of 45 Deptford High Street, London Borough of Lewisham SE8 4AD

Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Gus Sidhu to undertake building recording of 45 Deptford High Street, London as a condition of planning permission for alteration. The terraced property is not listed but lies in a Conservation Area. It had until recently been used as a storage unit with derelict residential accommodation above. Deptford High Street developed in two phases at the beginning and the end of the 18th century. During the early 19th century, the 'Red Lion and Wheatsheaf' public house (now 45 Deptford High Street) first appeared in local records, although a reference suggests that it may have been in existence in the late 18th century. The premises were used as a public house throughout the Victorian period. The red brick building retains its original double span roof and has a two-storey rear extension. Between 1868 and 1894 its bay front was removed and the front elevation was rebuilt. Features likely to have dated to this phase include a mosaic floor and a water closet extension. The rebuilding took place before 1891, by which date the public house was known as the 'The Distillery'. Alternating between the names 'Red Lion' and 'The Distillery' during the early 20th century, the pub did not regain its original name until the beginning of the 1930s. The 'Red Lion and Wheatsheaf' was closed down in 1961/2 and was acquired by a leather goods dealer, which continued trading until the early 1980s. It has since had a variety of uses.