HISTORIC England has revealed it is working towards the restoration of an abandoned pub in Edgware.

The Railway Hotel, a Grade II listed building in Station Road, has been empty for years and was recently struck by a small fire which caused minimal damage.

It has fallen into disrepair and residents have long expressed dismay at the ‘unsightly’ outward appearance of the building.

Since 2013, the hotel has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, meaning it is seeking to restore the building to public use.

Media manager for English Heritage Rosie Ryder said: “Planning permission exists to convert the tavern and the site behind into a hotel.

“All parties are very keen to see the building restored and we will continue to work with Barnet Council and the building’s owners throughout this process.”

Last week, Edgware resident Mark Amies started an online petition calling on Historic England to save the building which has now been signed by over 650 people.

Mr Amies was pleased to hear Historic England had taken note of the hotel but expressed frustration at the current situation.

He said: “It’s all very good to hear the want to do something, but frankly things need to hurry along.

“The pub has been a mess for so long and it looks awful, if Historic England and the council really want to make this right they could at least start by cleaning up the front to make it less unsightly.

“I feel Barnet has a poor history with heritage, we’ve seen so many significant buildings completely erased from the map, such as what is going on all over Colindale right now.”

Barnet Council are aware that the Railway Hotel is on Historic England’s at risk register and granted planning permission and listed building consent for a scheme relating to the site in April 2014.

An unnamed council spokesperson said: “We keep in contact with Historic England to update them on any developments with the building, and we will continue to do so while it remains on the at risk register.”

Mr Amies’ petition can be viewed and signed here.