A popular pub hopes to expand into space formerly used as a classroom.

The Old White Bear pub in Hampstead reopened in 2021 after a seven year closure – and now wants to make use of the upper floors above the bar.

The first floor space was previously used as a classroom by a former headteacher of Heathside School, but the Ham and High understands it has since been left vacant.

The Well Road pub is currently designated an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by Camden Council but this is set to expire on January 29 next year.

The pub is seeking to gain a five-year extension of its ACV for a second time. If this is successful, there are plans to move into the building’s upper floors for punters to use.

One Ham and High reader took to Facebook to ask local people their views on the pub.

They said: “It is almost ten years since the Old White Bear pub, following a concerted community campaign, was saved from redevelopment proposed by property speculators.

“In 2021 the pub finally reopened on the ground floor and has become a roaring success serving the local community.

“With the recent departure of the school, we are all hoping that the pub will now reoccupy the upper floors returning the much-missed function room to its former prominence as a local hub for community groups and get togethers.”

The Old White Bear closed in 2014. A community campaign helped prevent it from being repurposed, with the pub eventually reopening two years ago.