The golden touch

The Golden Lion in Camden was saved from closure five years ago and to show that the campaigning was worth the effort, it has now won CAMRA North London branch’s Pub of the Season award. Branch chairman Colin Coyne said, “We are making this award in recognition of the fact that the Golden Lion is a fine example of the success that can be made of a pub that nearly closed. It’s a great credit to the previous licensee, Camden Council and the local community which put up such a fight over a long period to stop the pub being turned into flats. With Britain currently still losing 14 pubs a week, we hope that this award will bring heart to other communities who are trying to save their own pub.”

Colin added, “This pub is also of historic value and it’s on CAMRA’s London Heritage list. It is Victorian and still has the original bar-back, complete with stunning bevelled mirrors and the names of two original rooms (Saloon Bar and Private Bar) still visible in bright stained glass above the doors on Pratt Street. It’s worth popping in for a bit of history as well as a pint!

(Left to right): Colin, Trevor, Dave and Aaron

The owner of the pub, Dave Murphy said, “It means everything to us to win such a prestigious award. To show that pubs can come back from the brink of closure and can go from strength to strength, not only in the local community but to demonstrate to the county that pubs are here to stay.” The pub is run by two enthusiastic partners, Aaron, formerly head of marketing at Distinct Pub Co, and Trevor, who was head chef at the Drapers, Islington. The pub remains a community pub, with a welcome for all. It has pool, darts and an acclaimed juke box and, thanks to Trevor, it has also widened its offer by putting in a kitchen serving food every day.

The full address is 88 Royal College Street, Camden Town, NW1 0TH. It is open midday to midnight Monday to Saturday and 12 to 11 Sunday. For more details, visit www.goldenlioncamden.com.

Christine Cryne