Landlord of the Rings! Sir Ian McKellen granted permission to repair rotten rear balcony at his 16th century pub

Published: 06:34 EDT, 9 October 2026 | Updated: 06:36 EDT, 9 October 2026 Sir Ian McKellen has been given permission to repair a rotten rear balcony at his 16th century pub.The actor, who played Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, can now repair the damaged stairs and decking at The Grapes pub in Limehouse, east London. Mr McKellen, 87, purchased the Grade-II listed public house which backs on to the Thames near Canary Wharf 15 years ago.Repairs were required at the venue, where the actor often takes part in the pub quiz, after the timber was exposed to 'salt-laden air'.A planning application was submitted to Tower Hamlets Council for 'emergency repair works to rear elevation balcony including timber supports and repairs to existing foreshore access stairs'.The proposed works will adopt a 'conservation-led repair strategy' to repair the damaged parts of the pub and will reuse historic timber to maintain the 'maritime character of the Limehouse riverfront.' The structural heritage assessment reads: 'The Grapes public house is a historic Thames-side public house located on Narrow Street in Limehouse, an area historically associated with London’s docklands and maritime trade.'A tavern has existed on or near the site since the late 16th century, with the present building largely reflecting eighteenth-century rebuilding typical of riverside commercial properties. The Grapes pub in Limehouse, east London, can now receive repairs to its damaged balcony and stairs The pub which backs on to the River Thames was purchased by Sir Ian McKellen 15 years ago Mr McKellen, 87, played Gandalf the wizard in The Lord of the Rings trilogy'The building is primarily constructed using load-bearing masonry external and party walls, supporting traditional timber floor structures and a timber roof.'The assessment added that the London pub reflects the common construction practices seen in buildings located along the riverfront.Due to the building's exposure to the Thames, the public house has undergone repairs over the years to allow it to continue operating.It continued: 'The proposed works relate to the repair and partial replacement of the external timber decking and associated timber fire-escape stair located at the rear of the property facing the River Thames.'These structures form part of the building’s riverside terrace and provide an important means of circulation and secondary escape.' 'Due to the building’s direct exposure to the Thames environment, the existing timber elements have experienced progressive deterioration, including localised decay and corrosion of fixings caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, salt-laden air and weathering.'A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: 'In accordance with the Act and Regulations, Tower Hamlets Council as the Local Planning Authority hereby gives notice of its decision to grant listed building consent for the works described in the schedule to this notice.'Do YOU have a story? Email Joshua.Haining@dailymail.co.uk