One gone. One going?

There can be few people in South Hampstead without a plant in their garden or a tool in their shed that didn't come from Homebase. No more. Its demolition is now complete. A sad loss.

Iconic must be one of the most over-used words in the English language, but its use here must be allowed. The Swiss Cottage pub has closed its doors, with many people assuming that, like Homebase, it will be demolished for yet another block of flats. Let's hope that the closure is temporary and that new owners can be found. Swiss Cottage without the pub will be like Crystal Palace without the glass palace - just a place on the map and the name of a TFL station.