Kinks shrine to be saved

nlnews@archant.co.uk
05 April 2007

Clissold Arms

THE shrine to legendary rock band The Kinks is to stay in the pub that hosted their first performances, the pub's new owners have pledged.

The world-famous collection of photos, plaques and records hanging on the walls of The Clissold Arms in Fortis Green, Muswell Hill, will not be auctioned off, Caroline Jones, director of new tenants Jobo Developments, has promised.

Ray Davies

The fate of the "Kinks Corner" collection, which includes a signed copy of Long Tall Sally - The Kinks' debut single - various Kinks records and sleeves, record company and press photos of the band, has been uncertain since the pub closed late last year.

It was feared that the shrine would not survive a makeover of the Clissold Arms by the new owners to turn it into a gastropub.

But on Monday, Caroline Jones said in a statement that she had "no intention of removing it from the building," adding: "Our only aim is to enhance both the natural features and atmosphere of The Clissold Arms and to provide a quality food offering."

The pub will reopen in the summer, following a major refurbishment.

Bill Orton, secretary of The Official Kinks Fan Club, called it "the best news we could have had".

He said: "Nowhere else would have had the same kudos as that venue. It's right on the spot of the focal point of the interest, so it wouldn't be valid anywhere else.

"It is obviously an 11th-hour decision to turn around, on the strength of the campaign to keep it there I suppose."

Kinks founders Ray and Dave Davies - who were brought up nearby in Denmark Terrace had both written to the Journal to express their fears that a crucial piece of

the band's history would be lost forever if the collection were to be dismantled and sold off.

The story generated unprecedented response from fans across the globe, and an online petition to keep the shrine attracted more than 1,000 signatures within days of being set up, including all four Kinks members, The Beatles' Ringo Starr, singer and actress Marianne Faithful and film director Julien Temple.

Mr Orton added: "The Davies brothers leant their weight to the argument, and the owners are going to look at it in the commercial light of day.

"I shall be visiting when it reopens. It would be nice to get together with the owners and have some sort of Kinks-related opening ceremony there."

Dave Davies is reported to have recorded a new song called The Clissold Arms, in memory of the venue that helped sow the seeds of The Kinks. It is not thought to be linked to the uncertainty that hung over the Kinks Corner.