◊ There is a new Craft Beer Company outlet which should be open by the time that you read this. It is called the Bear, (formerly the Cork & Bottle) situated in Spring Street, Paddington. I’d suggest that readers don’t ask if there are marmalade sandwiches on the menu because the staff will probably have already heard that one by the time you get there. Seriously, well done to the CBC for keeping faith by opening a new pub at this time.
◊ CAMRA’s South East London branch report that, happily, the Grade II-listed Fellowship Inn in Bellingham has reopened under the management of the team who also operate the Carlton Tavern in Kilburn. This is a very significant example of pub heritage, being a rare example of an ‘improved’ public house dating from 1923-24. It was designed in the mock Tudor style by F G Newnham, the house architect of brewers Barclay Perkins and Co, as part of the London County Council’s Bellingham Estate. It includes a theatre area and for a while it had a reputation as a music pub. It has three hand pumps and, on opening night, it was selling beers from Brockley, Five Points and Anspach & Hobday.
◊ The Catford Constitutional reappeared in early November. This new version, still operated by Antic, is a conversion of a former Argos shop in Rushey Green, around the corner from the original club which closed in 2019. Reports are that it is some distance to the upstairs toilets but new ones downstairs, along with a kitchen, are planned. It offers two Volden beers plus three guests.
◊ What was previously Day & Night in Penton Street, at the west end of Chapel Market, is due to reopen as the Hicce Hart. It is run by the same people who operate the Hicce restaurant in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross. It will have a strong food offering but the owners say that, first and foremost, it will be a pub. The beers will come exclusively from the Goodness Brewery in Wood Green and there will be a Hicce IPA, plus a lager, a stout and a low-alcohol beer. There will also be cider on handpump.
◊ The KPH (formerly the Kensington Park Hotel) in Notting Hill was purchased earlier this year by a company which gives the nature of its business as ‘fitness facilities’. It is reported currently to be closed with the freehold up for sale again. Planning permission would be required for any change of use but no applications have been submitted.
◊ The Northumberland Arms in Brentford has reopened after refurbishment. The pub is owned and operated by Ivo Penev, who also runs the Tiny Vessel brewery. It is serving cask beer but the handpumps are not immediately visible. They are behind a column on the lower, rear section of the bar top. Don’t miss out.
◊ The Oak and Poppy, formerly the Rosslyn Arms, in Hampstead (NW3 1NH) has been reopened by the First Restaurant Group. It is primarily food-led and does not sell cask beer but, having closed in 2013, it looked as if it was lost forever in any form. It is a further sign of the renaissance of pubs in Hampstead.
◊ Young’s have finished incorporating the former Union Tavern, previously the Fox & Hounds, into the Richard I in Greenwich. The works were primarily carried out at the Union Tavern, so the main part of the building retains its Grade II listing. Curiously, it is recorded by Heritage England as the Tolly Public House, it having been owned by Tolly Cobbold of Ipswich at the time it was first listed in June 1973.
The planning permission for the works, as granted by Greenwich Council, actually specified that the exterior paint to be used was Farrow & Ball Worsted 284, otherwise known as ‘gastropub grey’. The two buildings can however be distinguished from the upper floors. With thanks to Colin Price for the photo.
◊ The White Hart in Whitechapel, the original home of the One Mile End brewery, was acquired by McMullens of Hertford in September. It is currently open but will be closing for refurbishment sometime in the New Year.
◊ Having been closed since 2014 and threatened by three change of use applications, the Winchester in Highgate reopened on 8 October. Congratulations to the dedicated local campaigners who never gave up on getting their pub back and made this possible. This distinctive building has had much of its interior glasswork restored. This includes a glazed publican’s office which has been turned into a snug and is available for hire. The pub is now operated by the Leeds based Northern Union Pub Company, who manage a number of recently reopened pubs in north London.
The pub dates from 1881 and is part of a parade of shops with purpose built flats above. It was originally the Winchester Tavern but was subsequently renamed the Winchester Hall Hotel, as evidenced by the ironwork over the door. The later name is taken from a nearby 17th century mansion. Thanks to Kim Rennie for the photo.
OUTSIDE OF LONDON
◊ CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Bulletin for October contained the worrying news that the Old Swan (Ma Pardoe’s) in Netherton is facing closure. It was one of the country’s four remaining brewpubs when the first edition of the Good Beer Guide was published and it is also on CAMRA’s National Inventory of historic interiors. Its closure would also affect the associated Olde Swan Brewery. The current licensee is struggling with rising costs and reduced footfall, with only half the amount of beer currently being sold as compared to before the pandemic. He also says that he hasn’t ‘really had any help with the rent’ from Star Pubs & Bars, the freeholders. Paul Ainsworth, the chairman of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group, contacted Star and received the following response, “The Old Swan, Netherington (sic) is leased to an independent operator who continues to run the pub as their own business. We can confirm this prominent, historical pub is very much open to customers.” Yes but for how much longer?
◊ We recently mentioned the Lamb & Flag in Oxford. Concern is now being expressed about the Eagle & Child which stands opposite. It is owned by St John’s College and currently leased to Mitchells & Butlers (Nicholsons). It has been closed since 2020 and, according to one campaigner, is being ‘left to rot’ after previous plans fell through. The local CAMRA branch is on the case. A possible lease to Young’s has been mentioned.