The Directors Arms in Borehamwood is to be demolished

Work will soon begin to knock down The Directors Arms in Ripon Way ahead of redevelopment of the site.

Permission for demolition is still be to be officially granted.

The pub was built during post-war development of the area in the 1950s and was named the Bull and Tiger.

It is thought to have been Borehamwood’s biggest pub this side of Shenley Road and was popular for sports socials including football, rugby, and darts.

It was a large pub due to the fact it was built to serve a large community which was only going to get bigger.

Our film historian Paul Welsh has looked back fondly at the Bull and Tiger.

He said: “It was the main pub for this part of town. There was a good social life there. There used to be a saloon bar and a public bar and at the front there was an off-licence where you could buy items.

“The pub always had a float in the parade too. Initially, there was a farm there.”

Around 20 years ago, the Bull and Tiger, which was boarded up in October 1999, was revamped and reopened as The Directors Arms, in recognition of the town’s film and television studios

Mr Welsh added: “It’s sad to see another pub go. There are now none this side of Borehamwood. But The Directors Arms has been decaying over the last couple of years.”

A farewell party was held at the pub on March 3.

The freehold of the whole site, which includes nearby garages, is owned by Hertsmere Borough Council.

A long lease was given to brewers Scottish and Newcastle (now defunct) on the pub which had 15 years left to run.

In November last year, the agent representing the brewers approached the council announcing the plan was to sell its lease.

Hertsmere Borough Council has had to effectively buy out its own lease after an arrangement was made between a developer and the brewer regarding redevelopment of the pub.

The purchase of the lease has come using funds from the council’s capital reserves. The purchase sum is confidential but “significantly less” than £2m.

It was all approved by the Executive at the council on January 19. The council now has leasehold rights of the whole site.

The plan for the Directors Arms site and nearby garages is to redevelop and turn it into housing and the council is committed to ensuring the development meets its 35 per cent requirement of social housing.

Cllr John Graham, who is responsible for finance and property at the council, said: “We are delighted as we are seeking to tidy up the area and make it look a lot smarter.

“Whilst money is an important factor, we are aware of the need for social housing. Sometime it is a struggle to find sites for social housing in the borough but this is one we have identified.”