{"id":4011,"date":"2023-11-28T13:55:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T13:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/?p=4011"},"modified":"2023-11-28T13:55:27","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T13:55:27","slug":"pub-news-november-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2023\/11\/28\/pub-news-november-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Pub news – November 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many members will remember the Bree Louise<\/strong> in Euston closed in January 2018 and was demolished in 2019 for the HS2 railway project. Following the news that the new station may not now be built, interviews with the former owners, Craig and Karen Douglas, appeared in several newspapers. Mr Douglas told the Camden New Journal, \u201cIt\u2019s sickening. They told us they needed the pub for subterranean work for a new cornerstone for the platforms they were going to build. They won\u2019t need the area now that the pub was on whatsoever<\/em>.\u201d It has not helped that Mr and Mrs Douglas, who ran the pub for fifteen years and have now moved out of London, are still waiting for the settlement of the compensation claim for what was both their home and their business. The land which will be freed up by reducing the number of platforms from twelve to six will be handed over to a developer for residential development. The renowned beer writer, Roger Protz, has pointed out that these new homes will need a community pub and has proposed that a replacement for the Bree Louise be included in the plans accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further to my report on the Carlton Tavern<\/a><\/strong> in the previous, edition, the plans have changed. Instead of accommodation, the empty upper floors will, if approved by Westminster City council, become hotel space (see application here<\/a>). In the meantime, the pub\u2019s operators, Homegrown Pubs & Bars Ltd, are looking for funds to cover phase two of their development of the pub, primarily involving the toilets and the garden. If you are interested, then go here<\/a>. This is not a recommendation because we are not allowed to do that. Readers must make up their own minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young\u2019s has acquired the Crooked Billet<\/a><\/strong> in Clapton from Urban Pubs & Bars. It brings their estate to 231 pubs and hotels, 150 of them in London. Chief executive Simon Dodd said, \u201cWe are delighted that a freehold pub of this calibre is now a part of the Young\u2019s family. We will be working with the existing team to develop a premium food and drink offering whilst still keeping the character of the pub intact<\/em>.\u201d It is their second pub with this name, the other being on Wimbledon Common (SW19 4RQ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fuller\u2019s have acquired the freehold of one of their existing pubs, the Grade II-listed Crown<\/a> <\/strong>in Barnsbury. The previous owners, the Cloudesley Charity, put it up for sale as an investment opportunity with Fuller\u2019s as a secure tenant but it makes sense for Fuller\u2019s to buy It themselves. The price was reported to be \u00a31.5 million, which the charity will use for grants to projects in Islington.<\/p>\n\n\n

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After many twists and turns, the former Kensington Park Hotel<\/strong> in Ladbroke Grove has reopened as the Knight of Notting Hill<\/a><\/strong>. The operator is Zora Singh who intends to \u2018honour the venue\u2019s rich heritage and rekindle the pub\u2019s tradition as a live music venue, including making the most of the late-night licence until 1am\u2019. The same operators also have the Three Falcons in St John’s Wood. The food is Desi Pub style but no cask beer is available.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The former Sands End<\/strong> in Fulham has reopened as the Fulham Arms<\/a><\/strong> after a refurbishment. It is now very much food led but it is possible just to have a drink, which is good news because, possibly uniquely in London, it is owned by the Butcombe Brewery from Bristol and serves their beers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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It may be too late to enjoy it this year but the Wych Elm<\/a><\/strong> in Kingston has won Fuller\u2019s Glorious Gardens award. The competition, now in its second year, is open to the company\u2019s tenanted houses. The first winner was the Plough in Norwood Green whose managers presented the award to Michael Pearson and Charlotte Salaman of the Wych Elm. There was also a cash prize. The winners said, \u201cWe are delighted to have won this competition. The Wych Elm\u2019s garden is a hidden gem; a leafy and floral sanctuary in the heart of Kingston. We take pride in our garden and a lot of hard work goes into making sure it\u2019s just as comfortable and welcoming as the rest of the pub. It\u2019s great to have this recognition from Fuller\u2019s and special thanks go to Charlotte\u2019s mother, Liz, who is our head gardener and takes great care in looking after the garden. She is also delighted with this award<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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I mention this because the Derby Brewing Tap House<\/a><\/strong> was featured in Robert Fraser\u2019s Derby tour in the October\/November edition. Sadly, Derby Brewing Company have had to place their associated pub company, the Real Brewing Pub Company, into administration and so their two freehold sites in Derby, the Greyhound in Friar Gate and the Tap House are up for sale. They are however being sold as going concerns, so should remain open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, not a London pub but certainly a curiosity worth mentioning. Samuel Smith\u2019s purchased the Lower Ship<\/strong> in Duke Street, Reading back in the 1980s. They have kept it licensed ever since but have never opened it and the company never responded to enquiries as to what their plans were. One theory is that there was a dispute between the brewery and the local council regarding a car park behind the pub. Now, forty years on, Smith\u2019s have put the site on the market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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