This month we record the latest Wetherspoon outlet in N7 Holloway and the latest non-brewery Firkin conversion in South Harrow. Some new or newly converted pubs and cafe bars are recorded, although not all are selling real ale. A list of pubs currently advertised for sale by Phoenix Inns is also included which represents a further dispersal of the former Courage, Tru¬man and Watney estates.

The numbers in brackets after each entry refer to the page number in the following guides: E - East London & City Beer Guide, 3rd edition; K - 'Real Ale Drinkers Guide to Kent Pubs', 8th edition; N - North London Beer Guide, 3rd edition; SE - South East London Pub Guide, 4th edition; 3SE -South East London Pub Guide, 3rd edition; SW - Real Beer in South West London; W - Real Beer in West London; X - Essex Beer Guide, 8th edition. U refers to earlier updates. # indicates a guest beer.

NEW & REOPENED PUBS & PUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE

CENTRAL

Wl(Mar), STIR CRAZY, 120-122 Marylebone Lane. No real ale. Reopened Free House with William Younger badging. (U110. U111)

EAST

E8, KINGS ARMS, 18 Kingsland High Street. Wells: Eagle IPA, Bombardier, Farm (E113. U65)

E8, RAILWAY TAVERN, 339 Mare Street Wells: Bombardier, Fargo. Note Eagle IPA remains keg. (E115, U65)

NORTH

N7, CORONET, 338-346 Holloway Road. Courage: Best Bitter. Theakston: Best Bitter. XB. Younger: Scotch Bitter. Guest beer. Weston: Revival Cider. Probably the largest Wetherspoon Free House yet in former cinema. Much of the original decor remains. The foyer and stalls now form one huge drinking area with a Raised platform at its centre complete with old movie projectors pointing towards the former screen area. Panels adorn the walls relating to local history and personalities and also cinema history. Large black & white pictures of Hollywood stars occupy the balcony area. The external red strip cinema lighting has been retained. Food. Open all permitted hours.

SOUTH WEST

SW1(P), SPREAD EAGLE, 79 Grosvenor Road. Boddington: Bitter. Murphy: Oyster Stout. Tetley: Bitter. Guest beer. (SW16, U97)

SW5, DOME, 194/196 Earls Court Road. No real ale. Free House/cafe bar in former restaurant premises.

SW6, FAT SAMS, 498-504 Fulham Road. No real ale. Free House/American style diner.

SW10, SCRUFFY MURPHYS (MURPHYS PHARMACY), 451 Fulham Road. Tetley: Bitter. Formerly GUNTER ARMS. (SW38, U51, U74, U105)

SW15, MONTAGUE ARMS, 3 Medfield Street, Roehampton. Courage: Best Bitter. (SW46, U60, U73, U108)

SW15, RANGER, 205 Cortis Road. No real ale, H unused. Reopened. (SW47, U61, U108)

SW19, PITCHER at PIANO, 4/5 High Street, Wimbledon. Courage: Directors Bitter (£2.30 a pint!). New Free House/cafe bar in former building society premises.

RICHMOND, MAGNUMS TEN, 10 Brewers Lane. No real ale. Free House/cafe bar in former shop premises run by Corporate Catering.

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

EAST

E14, RICHARD COBDEN. Now Phoenix, ex Grand Met (Watney) (fizz). Closed for sale. (E148, U112 below)

E16, RAM TAVERN. Now simply RAM. Now Phoenix. ex Grand Met (Truman). Closed for sale. (E160. U112 below)

E16, ROUND HOUSE. Now Phoenix, ex Grand Met (Watney) (Fizz). Closed for sale. Note two words in title. (E160, U112 below)

NORTH

N1, OLD IVY HOUSE. Now Phoenix, ex Grand Met (Watney). Closed for sale. (N54, U112 below)

N1, SUTTON ARMS, 193A Caledonian Road. Now Phoenix, ex Grand Met (Courage). Closed for sale (N58, U112 below)

SOUTH WEST

SW1(W), PAGES. Now PAGES BAR. Charrington, H removed. Formerly DRUMMONDS, originally WESTMINSTER ARMS. (SW18, U38, U40, U49)

SW4, BOWYER ARMS. Taylor Walker, closed. (SW24, U39, U65, U87)

SW6, HALFWAY HOUSE. Charrington (fizz), closed, future uncertain. (SW27, U111)

SW12, McNABS WINE BAR. Free House (fizz). Now simply a wine bar and restaurant. (U67)

SW16, MANOR ARMS. Whitbread, H removed. (SW48, U63)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

EC1, LEOPARD. -Beers listed except Greene King Abbot Ale. +Gibbs Mew: Salisbury Best Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Extended at rear with large conservatory and spiral staircase to upper level. Now believed to be owned by the Chairman of Gibs Mew. (E19, U75)

EAST

E3, WENTWORTH ARMS. +Wells: Fargo. (E93, U70)

E4, ROYAL OAK, 219 Kings Head Hill. +McMullen: Gladstone. (E97)

E11, BELL. -Charrington: IPA. +Worthington: Best Bitter. (E127)

NORTH

N1, GEORGE IV, 60 Copenhagen Street. Renamed WHELANS (LARK IN THE PARK). -Beers listed. +Courage: Directors Bitter. Now a Free House, ex Thwaites. (N46, U109)

N1, LORD NELSON. Renamed RED EYE, still fizz. (N50)

NORTH WEST

HARROW, CONSTELLATION. Renamed FORNAX & FIRKIN. -Beers listed. +Firkin: Full Mash Mild (3.4%), Starbright (3.5%), Fornax (4.3%), Golden Glory, Dogbolter. +Weston: Scrumpy Extra Strong Cider (7.3%). Latest Allied Firkin conversion but without in-house brewery opened in December 1995. The name Fornax is believed to refer to the constellation of the five stars reflecting the former name. Usual Firkin format with pews, benches, barrel tables and now chandeliers. Live music on stage Thursday to Saturday evenings. Video games (Uh!). Red phone box. Beers brewed at various Firkin London brewpubs. Food available. Open all permitted hours. (W113)

SOUTH EAST

SE10, LONE SAILOR. Renamed LANTERN, still fizz. (SE98)

CRAYFORD, BEAR & RAGGED STAFF. Renamed ORANGE KIPPER. -Courage: Best Bitter. +Bass. +Bass: Toby Cask. +Boddington: Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. Revamped Magic pub. (3SE231, U59, U98, K67)

SOUTH WEST

SW1(B), FOX & HOUNDS. -Charrington: IPA. -Hancock: HB. +Adnams: Bitter. +Harvey: Best Bitter. (SW10, U77, U84)

SW1(W), COOPERS. -Beers listed except Bass. +Courage: Best Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Shepherd Neame: Spitfire. +Worthington: Best Bitter. (U97)

SW2, HOBGOBLIN. Still carries original name in small letters on pub sign. Should therefore read HOBGOBLIN (GEORGE CANNING). (SW19, U107)

SW3, SURPRISE. -Beers listed except Bass. +Hancock: HB. +Taylor: Landlord. (SW23, U56, U64, U73, U81, U84, U91)

SW5, HARPOON LOUIS. Renamed EARLS. (SW25)

SW6, JOLLY BREWER. Renamed HOBGOBLIN (FULHAM). -Beers listed except Courage: Best Bitter. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. +Wychwood: Best Bitter (4.2%), Hobgoblin (6.0%). Now a Wychwood pub, ex Grand Met (Watney). Wychwood beers may vary. (SW28, U66, U75, U94)

SW10, REDCLIFFE. Renamed FULHAM TUP. +John Smith: Bitter. +Guest beer (currently Marston: Pedigree). Now renovated in pine wood style and run by the founder of the Slug & Lettuce and Harvey Floorbanger pub chains now sold to Grosvenor Inns and Regent Inns respectively. The name refers to a male sheep or ram used as a stud. The inclusion of Fulham in the name is a mystery as the pub is in West Brompton. Formerly CARLOS & JOHHNYS. (SW33, U43, U64)

SW17, GALLERY FREE HOUSE. Should simply read GALLERY. Address is 50 London Road. Still fizz. (U67)

SW17, TOOTING PALACE. Renamed again to NEW FOUNTAIN. -Ruddle: Best Bitter. +Webster: Green Label. Formerly GIN PALACE, originally FOUNTAIN. (SW50, U40. U43, U92)

SW20, WINNERS WINE BAR. Address is 17 Approach Road. Despite its name, it is more of a pub than a wine bar. (U72)

PHOENIX INNS PUBS FOR SALE

In December 1994, pub group Phoenix Inns acquired 1700 pubs from the Grand Met Inntrepreneur estate. These are understood to be largely free of tie. 264 of these have recently been offered for sale and those in the Greater london area are listed below. The originating brewery is also noted in brackets. An asterisk (*) indicates those pubs selling real ale on last survey. The compilers would welcome any information about changes of ownership or beers currently sold.

EAST

E1, CARPENTERS ARMS (YE OLDE). (Watney) Note correct title. (E70, U75)

E1, QUEENS HEAD, 57 Greatorex Street. (Wamey) (E71)

E2, DOLPHIN (Truman) (E80, U69)

E2, FLORIST (Watney)* (E80, U75)

E2, HARE (Truman)* (E81)

E2, RED DEER (Watney) (E84)

E2, SHIP (Watney) (E85)

E2, SHIP & BLUE BALL (Pitfield, ex Watney, possibly now free)* (E85, U108, U110)

E3, DUKE OF WELLINGTON (Watney) (E90)

E3, PRIORY TAVERN (Truman)* (E92, U70, U76)

E3, WHITE HORSE (Watney) (E93)

E7, EARL OF DERBY (Courage)* (E107)

E14, RICHARD COBDEN (Wamey) Closed. (E148, U112 above)

E15, AMELIA (Watney)* (E151)

E15, CHATSWORTH ARMS (Wamey) (E152)

E15, CHOBHAM ARMS (Truman) (E153)

E15, STEAMSHIP (Courage)* (E155)

E16, ANCHOR (Courage) (E157)

E16, ESSEX ARMS (Courage) (E159)

E16, RAM (Truman) Closed. Note current title. (E160, U112 above)

E16, ROSE OF DENMARK (Watney) Closed (E160, U89)

E16, ROUND HOUSE (Watney) Note two words in title. (E160, U112 above)

E16, ROYAL ALBERT (Watney) (E160)

NORTH

N1, KINGS ARMS, 264 Liverpool Road (Watney)* (N49)

N1, OLD IVY HOUSE (Watney) Closed (N54, U112 above)

N1, STURT ARMS (Courage)* (N58)

N1, SUTTON ARMS, 193A Caledonian Road (Courage) Closed (N58, U112 above)

N1, VICTORY (Watney) (N61)

N1, WHITE HORSE (Watney)* Now possibly 'Free' (N62)

NORTH WEST

NW1, COLLEGE ARMS (Courage) (N163)

NW1, LION & LAMB (Watney) (N169)

NW8, DUKE OF CLARENCE (Watney)* (N214)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, CROWN & ANCHOR (Courage) (SE13)

SE1, EARL OF DERBY (Courage) (SE14)

SE1, FORT (Courage) (SE16, U102)

SE1, HAVELOCK ARMS (Courage)* (SE20)

SE1, HORNS (Courage) SE21, U102)

SE1, ROYAL GEORGE, 84 Abbey Road (Watney) (SE3I)

SE1, ROYAL OAK, 44 Tabard Street (Courage) (SE31)

SE1, TANNERS ARMS (Courage)* (SE36)

SE1, VALENTINES (Watney) (SE37)

SE5, DUKE OF EDINBURGH (Watney) (SE57)

SE5, ROSE (Courage) (SE61)

SE7, THAMES BARRIER ARMS (Watney) (SE73, U102)

SE7, WHITE HORSE (Watney)* (SE74)

SE8, FOUNTAIN (Courage) (SE79)

SE8, NOAHS ARK (Courage, possibly now free)* (SE81, U102)

SE8, PILOT (Courage) (SE81)

SE10, COACH & HORSES, 107 Blackheath Hill (Courage) (SE93)

SEll, GEORGE & DRAGON (Watney) (SE107)

SE13, RAVENSBOURNE ARMS (Courage) (SE121)

SE14, SPANISH STEPS (Courage) (SE131)

SE15, ATTITUDE (CLUB), 47 Sumner Road (formerly TRAFALGAR) (Watney) (omitted from SE guide) (3SE124, U97) SE15, DROVERS (Truman, then "free") (SE135)

SE15, GLENGALL ARMS (Courage) (SE135)

SE15, GOLDEN ANCHOR (Courage) (SE135)

SE15, MONTPELIER, 99 Queens Road (Courage) (SE137)

SE15, RED COW (Courage) (SE139)

SE16, CLIFTONVILLE TAVERN (Courage) (SE145)

SE16, CRYSTAL TAVERN (Courage) (SE146)

SE16, LILLIPUT HALL (Courage) (SE146)

SE16, LORD NELSON (Watney) closed (SE148)

SE16, RAYMOUTH TAVERN (Courage)* (SE151)

SE17, DUKE OF YORK (Watney)* (SE156)

SE17, GLOBE (Courage)* (SE158)

SE17, QUEEN ANNE (Courage) (SE159)

SE17, VICTORY (Courage)* (SE161)

SE18, ARMY HOUSE (Courage)* (SE164)

SE18, AVENUE ARMS (Courage)* (SE165)

SE18, BAG O'NAILS (Courage)* (SE165)

SE18, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE (Truman) (SE167)

SE18, FORT TAVERN (Watney)* (SE168)

SE18, NAVY & ARMY (Courage)* (SE170)

SE18, NORTH KENT TAVERN (Courage) (SE170)

SE18, WESTMINSTER ARMS (Truman) (SE168, U102)

SE20, QUEEN ADELAIDE (STREETS) (Courage then "free")* (SE190, U102)

BELVEDERE, PRINCE ALFRED (Courage)* (3SE207, U85, K38)

BEXLEY, RISING SUN (Courage)* (3SE210, U59, K40)

ERITH, SHIP (Courage)* (3SE256, U85, K82)

SLADE GREEN (ERITH), RAILWAY TAVERN (Courage)* (3SE256, U53, K157)

SOUTH WEST

SW2, BRANKSOME ARMS (Truman) (SW19) SW2, EFFRA HALL TAVERN (Courage)* (SW19, U101)

SW2, RED LION (Watney)* (SW19)

SW8, ELEPHANT & CASTLE (Courage, now CC Taverns)* (SW33, U108)

SW8, LORD WESTBURY (Courage) (SW33)

SW9, WHITE HART (Truman)* (SW37, U50) SW11, BRITISH FLAG (Watney, then possibly free) (SW39)

SW11, NAPIER ARMS (Watney)* (SW41)

SW18, FORESTER (Courage) (SW51, U48)

WEST

W2, GONDOLIER (Courage) (W59)

W3, HARBOUR LIGHTS (Watney) (W65) W14,•HOLLAND ARMS (Truman) (W94, U106)

HAMPTON, RAILWAY (Watney, then possibly "free") (W103, U60, U100)

ISLEWORTH, GEORGE (MUSIC BAR) (Truman)* Note full title (W130)