An Epsom pub is to be awarded Grade II listed status by Historic England (formerly English Heritage) as a fine and rare example of the “improved pub” movement which flourished in the inter-war years, writes Elisabeth Davis.

Previously known as the Stoneleigh Hotel, the Station pub in Stoneleigh Broadway was built between 1934 and 1935 and is among 21 surviving inter-war pubs from across the country being protected by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The pubs are all good examples of the ‘improved’ or ‘reformed’ establishments built after the First World War where breweries were keen to leave behind the image of drunkenness associated in the Victorian and Edwardian era.

The new pubs were bigger with restaurants, gardens and community meeting spaces aimed at appealing to families and particularly women.

The station pub was built by Truman’s Brewery which were especially enthusiastic in building improved pubs.

A spokesperson from Historic England said: “This status was granted after a long research project – started in 2013 to protect the best and most rare examples of this architecturally overlooked movement and often pubs which are a little threatened.

“The Station was one of the most ambitious and expensive pubs built by Truman’s for richer customers in Surrey.

“At the time of building Truman’s employed around 20 specialist firms to build it with no details forgotten including plaster wall panels decorated with birds and oak trees.

“It was designed in the Brewer’s Tudor Style intended to evoke fond feelings for “merrie England” and to embody the traditional idea of the cosy, hospitable English Inn.”

The general manager of the Station pub, Trevor Thompson, said: “We acknowledge the listing from English Heritage and hope it encourages more customers to visit the pub.”