McGlynn's Free House, a legendary Irish pub in King's Cross that closed in 2023 after the death of its landlord, is being refurbished by its new owner, artist Peter Doig. Doig, through his company Tramps International Ltd, has submitted a planning application to Camden Council for four retractable canvas awnings as part of ongoing restoration works.
Pub's History and Closure
The pub, located on Whidbourne Street, was run by Gerry Dolan since the 1990s. Known for its carpet, a cat, and good cask ale, it was frequented by "tourists, locals, builders and businessmen," as Dolan once said. Dolan died suddenly in August 2023, leading to the pub's closure.
Doig, a landscape painter, reportedly bought the backstreet pub in April 2025 for £3.15m with his gallerist partner Parinaz Mogadassi. Since then, several planning applications have been filed for listed building consent to make internal alterations and restore the "historic shopfront."
Restoration Plans and Awnings Proposal
Consent for full restoration of the shopfront was granted in April 2026, and work is currently underway. The latest application involves installing awnings outside the Grade II listed building, which is in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area. The pub features a bar and dining room on the ground floor, with staff accommodation above.
Trevor Horne Architects wrote in a design heritage statement that the awnings would provide shelter for outdoor seating, creating a more active street presence and boosting the pub's trading capacity. The black canvas awnings are designed to comply with Camden planning guidance, be retractable, and concealed within a hardwood blind box.
"Proposed materials will be robust, high quality and in-keeping with the traditional character of the shopfront, in a black colour scheme to match the existing frontage," the architects wrote. "The awnings will incorporate printed lettering to replicate the existing painted signage."
Preserving a Community Asset
The statement describes the proposal as a "high-quality, low-impact intervention that will respect the historic significance of the shopfront while ensuring the pub can continue to function as a viable community asset in the long term."
Originally called The Duke of Wellington, the pub was renamed McGlynn's when bought by Irish owners. Plans indicate Doig will keep the Irish name, with the awnings featuring the wording "McGlynn's Free House." The refurbishment aims to preserve the historic building while making it more viable as a public house, including redesigning the bar and adapting the cellar for toilets.
