If you're a North Londoner, hell if you're someone who loves a good night out then at some point in your life an evening has probably involved the immortal words 'let's go to Rowans'. The bowling alley meets karaoke and late-night disco spot is one of those last vestiges of old-school late-night London, along with the likes of Infernos in Clapham.
As a Finsbury Park resident myself I've spent most of my adult life in London in its orbit, from hazy nights out to raucous children's bowling parties. There's something fantastic and unreconstructed about Rowans that can't easily be put into words, and the iconic neon frontage is always a sign you're nearing Finsbury Park station.
This week the internet has been aflame with concerns that a new report by Haringey Council threatens this great institution. The catalyst was the publication of the council's Local Plan, or Neighbourhood Policies. In that the council identifies various areas across the borough that it sees as having good potential for development. The corner of Stroud Green Road and Seven Sisters Road, where Rowans and indeed the Twelve Pins pub sit, is one of those areas.
The council is proposing a "landmark high-density, mixed-use development" which sounds suspiciously like the kind of tower block that's gone up the other side of Finsbury Park station. And while their own plans state that any development should "preserve and enhance the character" of the area, they seem happy with the idea of losing Rowans as long as a replacement leisure facility is factored in.
We've long felt as locals that having Haringey Council run this part of London, which also sits at the intersection of both Islington and Hackney is part of the problem. Haringey makes decisions from way up in Wood Green and their geographical distance from the area reflects their lack of care and maybe even affection for the area.
Understandably, people are up in arms. In an impassioned post on Instagram Ed McIlroy of The Plimsoll said, "To say that Rowan’s is a jewel in the crown [of Finsbury Park] is an understatement. It is the entire crown, potentially the entire head and torso of the beast. It is the perfect cross section of London and the most incredible balance of the best and worst night out you have ever had."
We couldn't agree more. If you do too and want to lend your voice to the campaign against this plan, you don't have much time. The consultation ends tomorrow Friday 19 December, so you need to go to the Haringey Council site, look out the plan here and then respond stating your opposition. And if anyone knows anything about how to get Rowans' neon frontage listed, that might be a way to save it too.
More about Rowans
Where is it? 10 Stroud Green Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 2DF
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @rowans_tenpin_bowl
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