Above photo, circa 1980.

Above photo circa, 1980.

Above photo, 1994.

Above Google image, September 2008.

Above photo, 2019.

Above sign, July 1986.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

From the http://www.newsshopper.co.uk by Linda Piper, Tuesday 1 April 2008.

Four pubs named after failing underage tests.

A TOP policeman has voiced his disappointment four Bexley pubs sold alcohol to underage youngsters in a test purchasing exercise.

The failure comes after a determined effort by Bexley police and the council to stamp out underage drinking in the borough.

This has seen Bexley heralded as the most hard-line authority on licensing in the country.

Named and shamed, the pubs were identified as the "Cross Keys" in Erith High Street; the "Great Harry" in Parsonage Manorway, Belvedere; the "Forresters Arms" in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, and the "Style and Winch" in Northend Road, Erith.

The pubs also allowed youngsters to gamble on pub premises.

Chief Inspector Steve Murrant is in overall charge of licensing in the borough.

Following the test purchase failures, he said: "After two years of trying to get the message across we will not tolerate irresponsible alcohol retailing in this borough, I am disappointed some licensees still put profit first."

The four pubs were targeted after police received information they were serving alcohol to underage youngsters.

Tests were carried out on March 20 when four young people were sent into the pubs to try and buy an alcoholic drink and play on the gaming machines.

Mr Murrant said he was encouraged people were worried enough to tell their neighbourhood policing teams of their concerns about the pubs.

The staff who sold the booze were each served with an £80 penalty notice and the authorities are now considering what further action to take.

Council leader Councillor Ian Clement said: "We are determined to drive home our commitment towards enforcing the responsible retailing of alcohol."

Bexley has reviewed 32 licences in the two years since the new Licensing Act came into force.

Of these, 14 have either had their licence revoked or the licence holder has surrendered it voluntarily.

And of the remainder, some have had their licences suspended for a period and all have had more stringent conditions applied.

People with concerns about underage drinking and anti-social behaviour can find contact numbers for their safer neighbourhoods teams at www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods or call the community safety hotline free on 0800 389 5013.

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 15th July 2023, By Amy Clarke.

Welling Foresters Arms: Battle to save community pub.

A group of locals are fighting to save a well-loved pub in Welling which was suddenly closed and gutted following the approval of flats to be built in the venue’s car park.

The Foresters Arms, located between Bostall Woods and East Wickham Open Space, has a long history dating back to 1890.

However, it closed in April after a decision by the management chain, Wellington Pub Company, which had previously submitted the plans for land behind the Foresters Arms to be turned into flats.

According to the local democracy reporting service, the pub company has previously explored the possibility of including the Foresters Arms itself in the proposal during the pre-application phase.

However, the applicants were told that any plan involving the pub was unlikely to be approved, with the loss of a “community facility…unacceptable in principal”.

Regulars who loved attending the pub (Image: Abby M)

Abby McAllister, one of 21 individuals fighting to save the pub, told the News Shopper: “It is all boarded it up and looks awful at the minute to be honest.

“It is not running as a pub, and they absolutely have no plans to reopen it because this local pub has been gutted. Everything has been taken out.”

Abby explained that she believes the pub was widely successful and profitable, but it was sold by the brewery.

She added that she thinks this may be due to the car park being sold on and their belief that they could squeeze more money out of the selling of the actual venue as well.

Abby added: “We had about two weeks’ notice about the closure of the pub so it was like an absolute shock to us all.

“Mike who was leasing the pub from the brewery came in and told us the pub was closing and that was that – We began reacting straight away and formed a group and started a petition.

“Everyone was feeling really passionate about it because everyone that comes here is just like a big massive family and it is really sociable.

“It’s an everything for everyone type of pub – you can go in on your own, and as a woman I go and do not feel harassed and I feel totally comfortable.

“Everyone is good company; a good laugh and you can sit and listen or join in.

“It’s a pub for everyone and there is a lot of retired folks in there and I think they are lonely at the moment since it shut as that was their social lives.

“This place genuinely brought the community together and it had such a nice feel to it.”

“I started looking into ‘how do you save a pub?’ and I spoke to the council and some MPs and it just went from there really.”

The group of residents fighting to save the pub (Image: Abby M).

The East Wickham Councillors have fought against various planning applications for over three years, determined to preserve the community's beloved pub, claiming that it is crucial focal point for local residents after other pub closures in the area.

Bexley Council rejected the plans to develop the car park, but the Planning Inspectorate overturned them.

No planning application has been received by Bexley Council for the pub itself at this stage.

Councillor Steven Hall and MP Louie French are collaborating with the unincorporated group consisting of former patrons, well-wishers, and locals who are looking to revive the pub – including Abby.

East Wickham Councillor Stephen Hall wrote on the social media platform Next Door: “Pub owners sadly appear to prefer one-off profits over our long-established and cherished communities.

“Locally we have already lost the "Alma," the "Duchess of Edinburgh," the "Fanny on the Hill," the "Glenmore Arms," the "Moon and Sixpence," and the "Kitchener."

“Our local history and culture are slowly being eroded, but it is time to make a united stand.

"We do not want to see the Foresters Arms join this sad list of gone but not forgotten local pubs.”

Abby explained initial step is to register the pub as an asset of community value with the Bexley Council – which they are currently waiting for a response regarding.

This will enable the group to present a counter bid to purchase or lease the pub from the current owners, with funding potentially matched by the Government's Community Ownership Fund.

Ultimately, the decision lies with the owners, who will need to agree to any proposed arrangement.

News Shopper: In the top left image - Donna, head barmaid (middle) Abby (right) and her partner Julie (left)

In the top left image - Donna, head barmaid (middle) Abby (right) and her partner Julie (left) (Image: Abby M)

Abby added: “We know we can make it a profitable business. I'm not worried about that side of things.

“We just want people to have their jobs back. We want people to have their social lives back.”

The group believes that The Foresters Arms is not just a local watering hole but an essential part of the community, and the collective effort aims to bring it back to life.

Wellington Pub Company has been approached for further comment.

Councillor Steven Hall added: "The East Wickham Councillors and our MP, Louie French, were disappointed that the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour to allow the car park to be redeveloped after a 3-year battle.

"As feared, this has led to this popular historic and local pub being closed, but we haven't given up.

"We are working with a dedicated local group of volunteers to register the pub as an asset of community value. This will help them access Government funding to buy or lease back the pub.

"If successful, this teetotaler would be pleased to raise a mug of tea in celebration!"

MP Louie French said: “I am pleased to be working with a group of local residents and Councillors in East Wickham who share my passion for saving our local pubs such as The Foresters Arms.

"Local pubs and sports clubs play a vital role in our communities across Bexley and I always support them where I can, including with special grants during Covid.

"The Government have also launched a £150 million Community Ownership Fund to help local people save these treasured community assets”.

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk By Holly Brencher, 20th February 2026.

Closed Foresters Arms pub in Welling up for sale.

A historic south east London pub building has been put up for sale after closing its doors in 2023, as reported by our sister title London Now.

The Foresters Arms on Upper Wickham Lane in Welling is being marketed with a guide price of more than £395,000.

The Victorian corner pub stopped trading in April 2023 and is now considered “closed long term”, despite local efforts to save it, London Now reports, where further details of the listing can be read.

Traditional wooden bar remains inside closed Foresters Arms (Image: Caldecotte Group)

Situated between Plumstead and Welling, the two-storey corner building with a single-storey rear extension is typical of a traditional Victorian establishment.

It features a 592 square-foot customer area, a bar in the middle, a large basement cellar, a kitchen, and a stairway leading up to the first-floor manager's flat.

The first-floor flat comprises two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom.

The bar area has direct access to a garden to the side, a patio is situated at the back of the building, and another outdoor space is available at the front.

The pub is available freehold, meaning it's up for sale without any strings attached, such as an existing lease arrangement.

Empty lounge area with Foresters Arms signage on display (Image: Caldecotte Group)

The position of the pub, located next to both East Wickham Park and Plumstead Cemetery, provides it with good visibility on Upper Wickham Lane (A209), one of the main through roads between Plumstead and Welling.

The building includes a bar with multiple tv screens, and a garden and car park at the side and back of the premises.

It is being marketed as an opportunity for an experienced operator to start a new business catering to the local community.

The Foresters Arms has a rich history, dating back to at least 1862, with the original building constructed around 1860 by the first licensee, William Dawson.

The building in its current form dates from around 1900.

Former pub kitchen area shows vacant preparation space and fittings (Image: Caldecotte Group)

CAMRA, which represents consumers for real ale, ciders, and traditional British pubs, has listed the establishment as "closed long term" and describes its future as uncertain.

Recent planning proposals affecting the pub were turned down by the council.

The proposal aimed to develop parts of the pub’s car park, but the loss of parking and potential impact on the pub's operations led to refusal.

This group also noted that The Foresters Arms received “Asset of Community Value” status for five years starting from June 2023.

Located between Bostall Woods and East Wickham Open Space, the pub is conveniently positioned close to several local amenities.

These include Welling School and Hillsgrove Primary School, which are both 0.4 miles away.

The town centre of Welling itself is just 0.8 miles away, while Abbey Wood is located 1.2 miles away.

These distances are calculated in a straight line, and the actual route and distance may vary.

The property, a traditional Victorian public house, represents a good opportunity for an experienced operator to start a new business catering to the local community.