A FIRE-DAMAGED old pub in Edgware needs saving from developers, according to a new petition.

The Railway Hotel, in Station Road, has been closed since 2006 and its Tudor-style building left unused since then.

A fire broke out in the early hours of July 11, leaving the ground and second floors of the Grade II listed building damaged.

Edgware residents have banded together to petition Historic England to save the building and preserve its old pub style, quickly collection 250 signatures since yesterday (August 15).

Mark Amies, who started the petition online, said: “The Railway Hotel has had several owners since last year.

“The feeling among local people is that a developer wants e site to build more apartment blocks on, as it sits among other derelict sites.”

The petition asks Historic England to help ‘find an owner who will restore it and put it to use for the public’.

Roger Tichborne, who runs the Barnet Eye blog, described the building as ‘iconic’ when he pledged his support to the petition.

Historic England have had the Railway Hotel on their Heritage at Risk register ‘for some time’.

Media manager Rosie Ryder said: “We have been working closely with the local council on getting the building back into working use and off the Register.

“Despite the recent fire but the building is secure as well as wind and watertight.”

The petition can be found here.