This month we welcome a new hotel bar in SE! Lambeth, a reopened free house conversion in E9 Homerton and the latest European beer bar in SW15 Putney. We also record new "fizz" pubs and bars in WC2 Covent Garden and in outer East London/Essex. O'Hanlon in EC1 is now dispensing beer from its own brewery. More renamings are recorded throughout Greater London. A list of pubs acquired by Greene King from the Magic Pub Co is also included.

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

WC2, BAD BOBS, 66/67 Chandos Place. No real ale. New Free House bar in basement of commercial premises.

WC2, SPOT (THE CIRCLE), 29/30 Maiden Lane. Free House. No real ale. The Spot incorporates "The Circle" pub at No. 30 and "Just Take Five" bar and eaterie at No. 29 in former commercial premises.

WC2, SPRINGBOK BAR, 20 Bedford Street. No real ale. Another new Free House bar in basement of commercial premises.

EAST

E9, ROYAL HOTEL, Lauriston Road. Reopened and renamed ROYAL INN ON THE PARK. Draught Bass. Boddington: Bitter. Flowers: Original Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. ESB. Marston: Pedigree. 2 Guest beers (currently Adnams: Bitter and Nethergate: Umbel Ale). Now a Free House. ex Belhaven. (E122, U110)

GANTS HILL, CHAMPS BAR, la Sevenways Parade, Woodfield Avenue. No real ale. New Free House in former shop premises.

GOODMAYES, BRIDGE HOUSE, 62/64 Goodmayes Road. No real ale. New Free House in former shop premises.

SOUTH EAST

SE1, DRAPERS TAVERN. 16 Elephant & Castle. Renamed RUBY TUESDAYS. Courage: Best Bitter. Ruddle: Best Bitter. Webster: Green Label. Full range not always available. (SE14, U102)

SE1, FLAG & WHISTLE, Novotel London Waterloo Hotel, 113 Lambeth Road. Draught Bass. Fuller: London Pride. Worthington: Best Bitter. Guest beer. Comfortably furnished Free House/hotel bar open to non-residents with separate side entrance. Food. Open all permitted hours.

SE8, HOY, 193 Creek Road. Draught Bass. (SE80)

SOUTH WEST

SW15, BIERREX, 22 Putney High Street. New Free House in former shop premises. The second in a chain of European beer bars. Extensive range of foreign beers in bottle, including bottle conditioned beers. Food. Open all permitted hours and from 10am for food.

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

CENTRAL

EC4, RED LION. Bass/Charrington. Closed, future uncertain. (E53)

EAST

E1, JOLLY SAILOR. Wells. Closed, future uncertain. (E68, U65)

E2, JEREMIAH BULLFROG. Grand Met (Watney). Closed for sale. (E81)

E2, WEAVERS ARMS. Allied/Taylor Walker. Converted to shops. (E85, U79, U108)

E6, COCK. Bass/Charrington. Demolished. (E103, U108)

E15, SPARROWS. Bass/Charrington. H removed. (E155, U85)

E16, JUBILEE TAVERN. Allied/Taylor Walker. Closed, future uncertain. (E159)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, SWAN & SUGARLOAF. Free House. Closed and building being extensively altered, future uncertain. (SE36)

SOUTH WEST

SW5, GEORGE WHITAKER & SONS. Renamed O'NEILLS. Bass/Charrington. H removed. Formerly BOLTONS. (SW25, U61)

SW10, SCRUFFY MURPHYS (MURPHYS PHARMACY). Allied/Taylor Walker. H unused. Formerly GUNTER ARMS. (SW38, U51, U74, U105, U112, U113)

WEST

W14, LORD NELSON. Grand Met (Courage). Closed, future uncertain. (W94, U71)

TEDDINGTON, HORSE & GROOM. Grand Met (Watney). Closed, future uncertain but unlikely to reopen as a pub. (W147, U94)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

EC1, O'HANLON. -Beers listed. +O'Hanlon: Olympic Gold (seasonal), Blakeleys Best No. 1, Myrica Ale (Irish honey/bog myrtle), Dry Stout (not currently available). Beers brewed at new O'Hanlon Brewery in Vauxhall, SE11. Also sells keg O'Hanlon's Stout and Maltsters Weiss Bier. Formerly THREE CROWNS. (E26, U90, U113)

EAST

E1, PROSPECT OF WHITBY. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +Theakston: Best Bitter, XB. (E71, U106)

E1, WHITE SWAN & CUCKOO. -Theakston: Best Bitter. +Courage: Best Bitter. (E75, U75)

E3, LITTLE DRIVER. -Beers listed. +Draught Bass. (E90, U67, U69, U72, U79)

E3, OLD DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE. Address has changed to 20 Reeves Road. (E91, U72, U80, U99)

E7, LIVE & LET LIVE. -Beers listed. +Worthington: Best Bitter. +Guest beer. (E108)

E9, McCANNS. -Beers listed. +Hancock: HB. (E121, U71, U85)

E9, ROYAL STANDARD. +Fuller: London Pride. (E122, U76)

E12, THREE RABBITS. Renamed LJ'S BAR. (E133, U100)

E15, LORD HENNIKER. Real ale not always available. (E154, U108, U113)

E15, STEAMSHIP. Real ale not always available. (E155, U86, U90, U112)

BARKING, BARGE AGROUND. Renamed FERRET & TROUSERLEG. (X12, U74, U85, U106)

BARKING, CONNOLLYS WINE & COCKTAIL BAR. Renamed LEGENDS. (X12)

COLLIER ROW, ASPEN TREE. Renamed PICKLED NEWT. (X39, U98)

ILFORD, RED LION. Renamed RAT & CARROT, formerly MAIN STREET. (X66, U98)

NORTH

N9, RAT & CARROT. Is subtitled ROSIES. (N100)

NORTH WEST

SUDBURY, SUDBURY ARMS. Renamed HUNGRY HORSE. (W146, U98)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, DOCICHEAD. Renamed LIAM OG'S. -Draught Bass. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. (SE13)

SE1, GRAPES. Renamed ST CHRISTOPHERS INN. -Wadworth: 6X. -Guest beer. +Theakston: Lightfoot (3.7%). (SE19)

SE1, RAVEN IN THE TOWER. Should read RAVEN AT THE TOWER. Add to list of corrections to SE guide in Update 102. (SE29)

SE1, ST GEORGES TAVERN. Renamed ZANZI BAR. -Beers listed except Worthington: Best Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. (SE34)

SE1, YORKSHIRE GREY. Renamed HONEST CABBAGE. -John Smith: Bitter. +Draught Bass. (SE41)

SE8, PILOT. Renamed BALLYLANE INN. Now a Free House, ex Phoenix, still fizz. (SE81, U112)

WEST

W6, BUILDERS. Renamed HAMMERSMITH RAM. -Young: Porter. +Young: Ram Rod, seasonal beer. Refurbished with removal of the public bar and installation of french windows at the front. (W74, U73)

W6, HOP POLES. -Theakston: Old Peculier. -Younger: IPA. +Courage: Best Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. (W76, U72, U74, U95, U101, U102)

W6, SWAN. Renamed EDWARDS. -Worthington: Best Bitter. (W77, U94)

HOUNSLOW, RIFLEMAN. -Worthington: Best Bitter. +Highgate: Saddlers Bitter. (W128, U89, U91, U99)

TWICKENHAM, TWICKERS. Renamed HOBGOBLIN. -Beers listed. +Wadworth: 6X. +Wychwood: Special Bitter, Dogs Bollocks. Now a Wychwood pub, ex Grand Met (Watney). (W151)

GREENE KING "MAGIC" ACQUISITIONS

Following the acquisition by Scottish & Newcastle in late 1993 of the Grand Metropolitan "Chef & Brewer" estate inherited from Courage, Watney and Truman, a number of pubs were subsequently sold on in May 1994 to the new "Magic Pub Co", set up for the purpose by Michael Cannon late of Devenish/Inn Leisure. The new company immediately set about a major programme of refurbishment including the introduction of more real ales and latterly even some micro-brewery products. On the down side the refurbished pubs were crudely renamed with jokey titles replacing historic names of local significance, often opposed by locals and civic groups. It is to be hoped that Greene King do not continue this unpopular policy and that original names are restored.

Update 98 listed the 99 pubs in Greater London acquired by Magic in 1994. Of these our records show that at least 50 have been renamed although two have reverted to their original names following local agitation. Of the 99 pubs, Greene King have confirmed 89 acquisitions, two have been demolished and one converted to a shop. The current ownership of the remaining seven pubs has yet to be ascertained.

Pubs confirmed as acquired by Greene King are listed below, cross referenced to local pub guides and former names. Where original or new subsidiary names are known to be also displayed, albeit in smaller lettering, they are noted in brackets.

CENTRAL

EC1, WILMINGTON ARMS. (E27, U95, U98)

EC2, THREE CROWNS. (E36, U98)

EC4, ST. BRIDES TAVERN. (E53, U70, U98)

EC4, TOAD IN THE HOLE, formerly GLOBE (E48, U98, U102)

WC1, BLUE LION. (W45, U98, N18)

WC1, LUCAS ARMS. (W47, U98, N24)

WC1, MURPHYS MOON, formerly MOON (W47, U51, U98, U104, U108, N24, U109)

EAST

E16, ORDNANCE ARMS. (E160, U98)

E17, RINGWOOD CASTLE. (E168, U98)

BARKING, PICKLED NEWT (WHITE HORSE), formerly WHITE HORSE (X14, U98, U103)

COLLIER ROW, PICKLED NEWT, formerly ASPEN TREE (X39, U98, U117 above)

COLLIER ROW, CHARCOAL BURNER. (X39, U98)

ILFORD, RAT & CARROT, formerly RED LION, previously MAIN STREET (X66, U98, U117 above)

SEVEN KINGS, JOKER. (X91, U84, U98)

UPMINSTER, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly BRIDGE HOUSE TAVERN (X106, V67, U98, U108)

NORTH

N1, DRAPERS ARMS (N54)

N2, HUNGRY HORSE (MANOR COTTAGE), formerly MANOR COTTAGE (N66)

N8, HORNSEY TAVERN. (N94)

N8, HUNGRY HORSE (THE MAYNARD), formerly MAYNARD ARMS (N94)

N8, ORANGE KIPPER, formerly HOPE & ANCHOR (N95)

N8, RAT & CARROT (THE SPORTING), formerly WISE SERPENT (N95)

N9, CART OVERTHROWN. (N99)

N9, RAT & CARROT (ROSIES), formerly ROSIES, originally ROSE & CROWN (NI 10, U117 above)

N10, RAT & CARROT (THE MINSTREL), formerly MINSTREL BOY (N104, U109)

N11, RAT & CARROT (THE DUCK), formerly DUCK (N109, U109)

N15 BOTANY BAY, formerly HOBSONS CHOICE (N124)

N15, LORD PALMERSTON. (N125, U109)

N19, PICKLED NEWT (NEW BRUNSWICK), formerly NEW BRUNSWICK (N144, U109)

N22, RAT & CARROT (THE LORDSHIP), formerly LORDSHIP (N157, U109)

N22, RAT & CARROT (TJB's), formerly THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS (N157, U109)

ENFIELD, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly SALISBURY, previously SALISBURYS (N230, U109)

NORTH WEST

NW1, PICKLED NEWT (UNICORN), formerly UNICORN (N171, U109)

NW2, CRICKLEWOOD TAVERN. (N179)

NW4, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly PICKLED NEWT (THE MIDLAND) originally MIDLAND HOTEL (N195, U109)

NW5, FAMOUS ASSEMBLY HOUSE, formerly ASSEMBLY HOUSE (N198)

NW5, TALLY HO. (N200)

NW6, BIDDY MULLIGANS. (N203)

NW6, BRITANNIA. (N204)

NW6, COCK. (N204)

NW6, PICKLED NEWT (ALLIANCE), formerly ALLIANCE (N205)

NW6, RAT & CARROT (BLACK LION), formerly OLD BLACK LION (N206)

NW10, RAT & CARROT (CROWN), formerly CROWN (N224)

NW11, CASTLE. (N227)

ALPERTON, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly PLOUGH (W96, U98, U108)

HARROW, KINGSFIELD ARMS. (W113, U98)

HARROW, SHAFTESBURY. (W114, U98)

HARROW WEALD, PICKLED NEWT (ALMA), formerly ALMA (W114, U68, U98, U110)

SUDBURY, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly SUDBURY ARMS, (W146, U98, U117 above)

SOUTH EAST

SE4, BROCKLEY JACK. (SE51, U102)

SE18, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly FOX UNDER THE HILL (SE168, U102, U111)

SE19 , ORANGE KIPPER, formerly QUEENS ARMS (SE180, U102, U110)

SE25, PICKLED NEWT, formerly ALBERT TAV-ERN (SE213, U102, U114)

BROMLEY, FREELANDS TAVERN. (3SE218, K50, U98)

BROMLEY (SUNDRIDGE PARK), HUNGRY HORSE, formerly TEASEL (3SE220, U59, K164, U98, U99, U108)

CRAYFORD, ORANGE KIPPER, formerly BEAR & RAGGED STAFF (3SE231, U59, K67 U98, U112)

CROYDON, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly PROPELLER (3SE248, U55, U98, U101, U116)

ST MARY CRAY, SEVEN STILES. (3SE271, U64, K146, U98)

SOUTH WEST

SW1(P), ORANGE KIPPER, formerly PRINCESS ROYAL (SW15, U75, U98, U108, U115)

SW6, CROSS EYED NEWT (CHELSEA), formerly CHELSEA GATE, originally STAMFORD BRIDGE ARMS (SW29, U28, U97, U98)

SW6, PADDYS GOOSE, formerly WANDSWORTH BRIDGE TAVERN (SW29, U94, U98, U108)

SW6, SPORTING RAT (WHEATSHEAF), formerly WHEATSHEAF, 582 Fulham Road (SW29, U98, U111)

SW14, JOLLY MILKMAN, formerly PICKLED NEWT, originally JOLLY MILKMAN (SW45, U98, U111,U116)

SW15, ARAB BOY TAVERN. (SW46, U73, U98, U108, U109)

SW17, CORNER PIN. (SW50, U58, U98)

CHESSINGTON, PICKLED NEWT (PORT OF CALL), formerly PORT OF CALL (SW62, U98, U111)

KINGSTON, ALBION. (SW64, U98)

KINGSTON, ALEXANDRA. (SW64, U98)

KINGSTON, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly BREWSTER (SW64, U98, U109)

MITCHAM, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly SKIN-NERS ARMS (SW68, U98, U108)

SUTTON, BUTTERCHURN. (SW76, U98)

SUTTON RED LION. (SW76, U59, U98)

WEST

W4, RAILWAY TAVERN. (W69, U94, U98)

W7, RED LION, now renamed again HUNGRY HORSE (RED LION). (W79, U98) W9, EARL OF DERBY. (W83, U98)

W12, BRITISH PRINCE. (W91, U98)

W12, RAT & CARROT (THE TRAVELLERS), formerly TRAVELLERS REST (W92, U93, U98, U 104)

W14, PICKLED NEWT (OLYMPIA), formerly LIVE & LET LIVE (W94, U71, U92, U97, U98)

W14, RAT & CARROT (FOX), formerly FOX TAVERN (W94, U71, U95, U98)

HAYES, CARPENTERS ARMS. (W117, U98)

HAYES, FIREFLY. (W117, U98)

HAYES, GOLDEN CROSS. (W118, U98)

HESTON, OLD QUEENS HEAD TAVERN (HUN-GRY HORSE), formerly OLD QUEENS HEAD TAVERN (W120, U98, U105)

HOUNSLOW, DUKE OF WELLINGTON, formerly HUNGRY HORSE, originally DUKE OF WELLINGTON (W126, U91, U98, U99, U101, U102) HOUNSLOW, HUNGRY HORSE, formerly RUBY TUESDAY (W128, U91, U95, U98, U102)

HOUNSLOW, PICKLED NEWT (PALMERSTONS), formerly LORD PALMERSTON (W128, U95, U98)

HOUNSLOW, WINDSOR CASTLE. (W128, U91, U98)

NORTHOLT, BYRON. (W134, U98)

SIPSON, KING WILLIAM IV. (W140, U98)

TEDDINGTON, TIDE END COTTAGE. (W147, U94, U98, U101)

PUBS UNACCOUNTED FOR

The following pubs acquired by magic from S&N, do not appear on the current list of acquisitions kindly supplied by Greene King. The compilers would welcome details of current ownership:-

E1, OXFORD ARMS. (E71, U98)

E2, PRINCE OF WALES, 1 Teale Street. Reported as closed (E84, U98, U99)

E14, OLD SHIP. (E146, U98)

NW6, BIRD IN HAND. (N203)

SW1(B), HORSE & GROOM, 7 Groom Place (SW10, U98)

SW3, RAT & CARROT (BEEHIVE), formerly BEEHIVE TAVERN (SW21, U64, U98, U115)

HESTON, HOPE & ANCHOR. (W120, U98)