Campaigners have won extra safeguards for a historic public house at risk of being knocked down to build flats.

The Midland Hotel in Station Road, Hendon, has been listed as an ‘asset of community value’ (ACV) – making it easier for community groups to buy the building.

It means that if the owner wants to sell the pub, community groups will have six months to come up with a bid that would allow them to maintain its current use.

The pub can only be sold to a community group during that timeframe – but the owner will be free to sell it off to any interested party once the six months is up.

Built in 1889, The Midland was a popular watering hole for commuters using the Midland Railway.

In September, plans to demolish the pub and build three blocks of flats sparked an uproar from residents, and hundreds of people have objected to the proposals on the council’s website.

The Midland Hotel Community Group, which nominated The Midland as an ACV, described it as “the social hub of the local area”.

It hosts regular live music gigs and pub quizzes, and it is a popular after-work meeting spot for people working in local businesses.

The bid to protect the pub attracted cross-party support, with Conservative MP for Hendon Matthew Offord and Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore throwing their weight behind the campaign, alongside Labour and Tory councillors.

Barnet Council’s community leadership and libraries sub-committee granted the pub ACV status at a meeting on Wednesday (December 19).

Roger Tichborne, pubs protection officer for the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “The pub is very much at the heart of the community.

“Over the last couple of years, there have been 50 to 60 music events organised by various people, and all sorts of other things.

“Everyone has come together across the parties – Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrats.

“If you want to save a pub, the ‘save the Midland’ campaign is close to a model.”