One of Soho’s most treasured institutions has become the latest London business to castigate Crossrail for threatening its future. The London Gin Club, formerly the Star Cafe, is facing a year’s closure because of flooding triggered by Europe’s largest and much delayed £18bn infrastructure project.
The club, one of the oldest family-run establishments in Soho, has been closed since April after damage to its Georgian vault was caused by drilling at the nearby Tottenham Court Road station. The club’s repair bill is expected to top £600,000 although Crossrail has so far refused to pay compensation.
“It is utterly, unspeakably preposterous,” said the club’s owner, Julia Forte. “We simply cannot get our heads around the fact that they caused the damage, which was foreseeable and avoidable and will not accept liability.”
Last month it was revealed that Crossrail will not open until at least 2021, a delay of three years – prompting fresh dismay from small businesses affected by the disruption caused by the postponement. In the case of the London Gin Club, its woes started in January when Crossrail workers began digging above the Georgian building’s basement. Now, every time it rains, up to 70 litres of water pours into the basement. Forte said Crossrail’s loss adjuster had told the club to “fill the vault with cement and put a door on it”.
However, Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild has since visited the business.
“He was horrified at the state of the place which by then had serious penetrating damp,” said Forte. “Our business is in ruins, our building is still trashed and Crossrail have not showed any consideration for our situation,” she added.
Wild said: “I am very sorry for the disruption the London Gin Club has suffered and we are doing everything possible to expedite the insurance process as quickly as possible so the business can re-open. I have been in regular contact with the Gin Club to keep them updated and we are making good progress.”
