Owners of an “iconic” pub have reassured campaigners that the historic building will not be knocked down – but its future as a drinking hole is still in doubt.

The 300-year-old Green Dragon Pub, in Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill, closed in January due to financial problems. A discount shop opened on the site last week.

In a statement, Green Lanes Investment, which owns the property, said it will not knock down the Winchmore Hill landmark.

However, it made no reassurances that the site will be re-opened in its previous form.

A spokesman for the company said: “GLI wants to reassure residents that we will not be knocking it all down. Although the pub business went bust due to lack of trade, GLI bought the site because it is a prominent building in a good location, and feel it could continue to contribute to the local economy and provide jobs.

“It was important to get it back into use fast, as empty sites like this often quickly become the focus of anti-social behaviour, vandalism or squatters. For the sake of our neighbours and the local business community we could not let that happen, so we are pleased that a new shop has already opened, and hope that it has a successful future.”

A petition to save the premises by campaign group ‘Save Green Dragon Pub’ has gathered more than 4,000 signatures.

People living nearby came to show their support when Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes held a mobile surgery outside the building yesterday.

Alan Robb, of Myddleton Gardens, said: “Everyone would like to see the place continue as a pub. It’s an iconic building and is identified with Winchmore Hill, and it should be maintained. It’s worth fighting for.”

Peter Lawlor, from Enfield, said: “It was a great place, it’s a shame to see it end.”

Keith Chadwick, 80, of Park Drive said he was worried the building could eventually be knocked down.

Mr Chadwick said: “It’s been here all my life and is a piece of the furniture. It’s part of Winchmore Hill and has always been. It’s been here so long, it would be a shame to lose it.

“Maybe if it was turned into a hotel pub, or something like that, it would keep its character reserved. It’s very important to keep that history.”

Helen Chrysanthou, of Drayton Gardens, said: “I would like to see a new family run pub for everybody, to keep the community together.”

David Burrowes said he wanted to see the pub registered as a community asset, so people had a say over its future.

He said: “We need to respect our local heritage, we are losing too much of it. At the very least we need to respect the building. It’s known to Winchmore Hill far and wide. People would like to see it become a viable pub restaurant again.

“The call is for the new owners to recognise the strength of local feeling. They need to explore other options. We need to bring the pub back to life. At the moment the direction of travel seems in the long term to sell it off for flats.”