The aim of Capital Pubcheck is to share information about the latest happenings on the London pub scene including new pub and bar openings, name changes, acquisitions, closures, notable changes to beer ranges etc. Cross references to CAMRA's various pub guides covering Greater London are also provided to enable easy updating.

Information is gathered from a variety of sources including London Drinker readers, individual CAMRA members and branch contacts, breweries, pub operators, landlords etc. If you would like to contribute to 'Pubcheck' please send your news to the address below. A pro-forma is available for regular contributors.

An all time record for new pub openings over the two month period, mainly in the lead up to Christmas. No less than 33 brand new pubs and bars are reported opening all over London, mostly in buildings converted from other uses in central shopping and business locations, 21 of which serve real ales. These include 7 from Whitbread (5 Hogsheads and 2 Brewers Fayres), 3 from Fullers including a splendid bank conversion in the City, 2 from Eldridge Pope and one each for other pub groups including Wetherspoon, Old Monk, Surrey Free Inns, Yates's, Thorley Taverns, Regent Inns, Grosvenor Inns, Bass (All Bar One) and a rebuild from Inntrepreneur. In addition, eight pubs and bars have reopened, some after several years closure, of which six serve real ale. These include Brakspear's first London pub and one each from Bass (2/3rds of the Punch Tavern!), Morlands, Youngs and Hall & Woodhouse. The latter has also added an ex-Whitbread pub to its estate.

Other news includes the welcome reinstatement of former names for three Greene King ex "Magic" "Hungry Horse" pubs and a change from "Prince" to "Princess of Wales" for two Youngs pubs. Another non-brewing Firkin conversion is reported and two former brew pubs acquired by Scottish & Newcastle with the former Grand Met "Chef & Brewer" estate are now confirmed as no longer brewing. This leaves just the Yorkshire Grey, WC1 and the Orange, SW1 still brewing. On the down side, 10 pubs are reported as closed, 9 have been converted to other uses and 5 have been demolished.

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 - South West London Pub Guide, 2nd edition; W - Real Beer in West London; X - Essex Beer Guide, 8th edition. U refers to earlier updates.

NEW & REOPENED PUBS & PUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE

CENTRAL

EC1, LITTEN TREE, 174-180 Old Street. Courage: Directors Bitter. Litten Tree: Best Bitter. Wadworth: 6X. New Surrey Inns Free House opened December 1997 on ground floor of existing office building. Steps and double doors lead into a very large carpeted open plan super-pub with wood paneled walls, mirrors and a polished dance floor area at rear complete with disco console and large screen TVs. Two contrasting seating areas at front offer respectively a "cafe-bar" and comfy "no smoking" lounge area complete with dusty books and "fireplace". Large coloured glass ceiling lights feature throughout. Live music Wed-Sat evenings, otherwise deafening recorded music in evenings. Food 12-6. Opens 11-11 Mon-Sat, closed Sundays.

EC3, CHARLIES, 9 Cross Wall. No real ale. A Free House/basement bar and restaurant.

EC3, COUNTING HOUSE, 50 Cornhill. Fuller: Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, seasonal beer. Former bank sensitively converted by Fullers and opened in December 1997 as an "Ale & Pie House" in similar style to Old Bank of England, Fleet Street, EC4. The entrance leads into a decorative gold embossed high ceilinged former banking hall with chandeliers and brown marble walls. Large windows front onto Comhill and a mosaic floor displays the names and dates of former bank branches in the City and elsewhere, including Cornhill in 1762. A plaque on the wall to the right of the entrance commemorates the staff of the National Provincial Bank who died in the First World under a large atrium at the rear behind screens are two small rooms for quiet conversation. A staircase leads up to an L-shaped balcony seating area with a function room off complete with fireplace and leatherclad chairs. Food available 12-8pm. Opens 11-11 Mon-Fri, closed weekends. A splendid conversion by Fullers and a pub destined to become a must on any City crawl.

EC3, HOGSHEAD, 1 America Square. Boddington: Bitter. Brakspear: Special Bitter. Flowers: Abroad Cooper. Gale: HSB. Greene King: Abbot Ale. Marston: Pedigree. Morland: Old Speckled Hen. Wadworth: 6X. Young: Special. Guest beers (H) & (G). New Whitbread "Hogshead Ale House" opened December 1997. Created in two parallel railway arches under Fenchurch Street line which have been absorbed into a flashy new office development around and above. The entrance leads past a small cafe-bar area (open 7.30am for breakfast) into either "Vault 1" or "2", both of which offer 10 handpumped beers and 4 direct from (air cooled) casks behind the bar. Belgian bottled beers also available. Bare brick walls (this time genuine!), iron beams, exposed ventilation and gas lookalike lighting, wooden and flagstone floors complete the picture. Raised seating areas at side and rear. Food available until 6pm Mon-Thu and 3/4pm Friday. Opens 11-11 Mon-Fri, closed weekends.

EC3, HOGSHEAD, 18 Fish Street Hill. Adnams: Bitter. Bateman: XB or XXXB. Boddington: Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. Greene King: IPA. Marston: Pedigree. Wadworth: 6X. Wells: Bombardier. Guest beers (H) & (G). Not all above regularly available. Another new Whitbread "Hogshead Ale House" opened late November 1997 in ground floor of office building opposite the Monument. A total of 20 handpumps dispensing at least 12 different real ales plus 4 guests direct from the cask. Bottled Belgian beers also available. The usual bare brick walls, flagstone and wooden flooring, exposed ventilation ducts, phoney "gas lamps" and wooden furniture. Raised seating area to side and rear seating/eating area. Framed newspapers and Private Eye covers relating to financial events adorn the walls. Food. Opens 11-11 Mon-Fri, 11-5 Sat, closed Sat evening and all day Sunday.

EC4, DOME, 4 St. Pauls Churchyard. No real ale. Latest outlet for Whitbread cafe-bar chain in former office premises.

EC4, PUNCH TAVERN, 99 Fleet Street. Draught Bass. Everard: Tiger. Fuller: London Pride. Greene King: IPA. The Bass owned part of the famous pub has reopened under the auspices of the "Mucky Pub Co". The residual Sam Smith owned part to the side has been screened off and remains closed. To compensate, the pub has been knocked through to the rear to take over a former shop fronting onto Bride Lane. Tastefully furnished and decorated with cabinets of punch paraphernalia including Punch magazines and cartoons etc.Opens 11-11 Mon-Fri, 11-5 Sat and 12-5 Sunday. A good attempt to rejuvenate an historic pub but whither the Sam Smith's bit? Is this another example of the latter's intransigence?

EC4, SLURPING TOAD, 34-36 Ludgate Hill. Draught Bass. Courage: Best Bitter. Hardy: Popes Traditional Bitter, Country Bitter, Royal Oak (Toad's Topple). Webster: Yorkshire Bitter (Toad's Tipple). Latest London outlet for Eldridge Pope owned chain opened November 1997 in former office premises. Barrel tables for stand-up drinking, buff tiled floor, chandeliers etc. There is a separate seating/eating area hidden away at the back which doubles as a function room and also a "fizz" bar and games area downstairs. Pictures on the walls display architectural drawings of Eldridge Pope pubs and the erstwhile brewery (now flogged off to the former management) as well as beer related prints and posters. Food 12-5. Disabled WC. Open 11-11 Mon-Fri, 11-6 Sat, closed Sat evening and all day Sunday.

EC4, SHAWS BOOKSELLERS, 31-34 St. Andrews Hill. Fuller: Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, seasonal beer. Guest beers (anticipated). New unbadged Fullers pub and "eating house" opened early December 1997 in former paper mill premises used more recently as a film set for the "Wings of a Dove" movie starring Helena Bonham Carter which includes a bookshop scene. Spartan in style with bare boards, wooden tables and chairs, wood panelled ceiling and fans, maroon and cream painted walls etc. Upmarket snacks include carrot and ginger and potato wedges and ketchup. Wine racks behind bar. Music. Disabled WC. Food 12-3, 6-9pm. Opens 11-9.30 Mon-Wed, 11-10.30 Thu-Fri, closed weekends.

W1(May), BAR EXCELLENCE, 33 Dover Street. Hardy: Country Bitter, Royal Oak. Latest outlet for Eldridge Pope run pub chain opened late November 1997. The name is ostentatiously projected onto the ground at the entrance.. Polished wooden floor, yellow walls and cream painted ceiling with a green painted bar stacked with wine bottles. Soft yellow lighting. A raised carpeted area at the rear is lit through a stained glass rooflight. Panels depict a coloured map of the World highlighting wine growing areas. French windows on frontage. There is also a large downstairs bar with real ale and restaurant area. Disabled WC. Expensive. Opens 11-11 Mon-Sat, closed Sundays.

W1(S), SLUG & LETTUCE, 80 Wardour Street. Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. Spacious Grosvenor Inns Free House bar opened August 1997 in former music business premises and featured recently in Roger Protz’s article about David Bruce in a recent “What’s Brewing”. Decorated in pastel shades - cream, purple and orange with light pine polished floor, furniture and bar fittings. Abstract paintings on walls. A sprinkling of chairs and tables and sofas. Emphasis on food and wine. A spiral staircase leads down to a similarly decorated basement bar. Beers are £2.30 and £2.40 a pint respectively!. Food until 9/10pm weekdays, 7pm weekends. Opens 12-11 Mon- Sat, 12-10.30 Sundays.

WC2, SHIP & SHOVEL, 2/3 Craven Passage. Reopened and renamed SHIP & SHOVELL. Badger: IPA, Dorset Best, Tanglefoot. Gribble Inn: Oving Bitter (beer may vary), Small cosy pub underneath Charing Cross Station acquired by Hall & Woodhouse and reopened in November 1997 after being closed for about 10 years. Research has shown that the pub was named after Sir Clowdisley Shovell (1650-1707), former Admiral of the Fleet and the pub’s name board has been corrected accordingly; Shovell is buried in Westminster Abbey. The pub comprises two listed buildings dating from c1730. It has been tastefully refurbished with polished wood flooring, wood panelling, etched glass panels etc. Pictures with a nautical theme, a model sailing ship and fishing nets over the fireplace set the scene. Food available 12-9. Open all permitted hours (though may change). Note correct address. (W56)

EAST

E1, ALDGATE EXCHANGE, 133-137 Whitechapel High Street. Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter.Marston: Pedigree. Guest beer (currently Draught Bass). A new Free House opened in December 1997 by the Thorley Taverns pub group (who have a number of pubs in the City and Kent) in former garment factory. Decorated in pseudo- Wetherspoon style with carpets and wood panelled walls but also ceiling fans, darts and taped music. Pictures of old London decorate the walls, including a feature of the former Tubby Isaacs fish stall nearby. Downstairs room doubles as a function room.. Features Thai food at lunchtimes. Opens 8am for breakfast and all permitted hours.

E1, OLD MONK, 32 Leman Street. Boddington: Bitter. Marston: Pedigree. Taylor: Landlord. Theakston: Best Bitter. Guest beer. Weston: Old Rosie Scrumpy Cider. Latest Old Monk Pub Co Free House opened in December 1997 in former computer warehouse. Decorated in typical style with old photos of Aldgate, Whitechapel and the City on the walls. No smoking area. No music. Disabled WC. Hot food until 10pm. Opens 11-11 Mon-Fri.

E1, VIBE BAR, The Brewery, 91-95 Brick Lane. No real ale. A Free House/bar, internet cafe and record shop in former Trumans Brewery building.

DAGENHAM, CHIQUITO, Dagenham Leisure Park, Cook Road, off Ripple Road. No real ale. A “restaurant and bar” serving indoor leisure complex.

HORNCHURCH, MADISON EXCHANGE, 168 High Street.Reopened and renamed NEWT & CUCUMBER. Flowers: Original Bitter. Morland: Independent IPA, Old Speckled Hen. Ruddle: County. Tetley: Bitter. Former Allied pub acquired along with whole Exchange chain by Morlands. Large barn of a pub seeking out the food trade. (X63)

ROMFORD, TEMPTATIONS, 141 South Street. Reopened and renamed FREDDIE WHALES BAR. Still fizz beer only. Note full address (X87, U125)

ROMFORD, YATES’S WINE LODGE, 87/89 South Street. Boddington: Bitter. Brand new brick built corner Free House built on site of former shops opened in November 1997 and latest in chain moving into London’s suburban centres. Double doors lead into colourful and well lit carpeted interior with light wood panelling, raised seating area, red and blue painted ceiling, drapes, chandeliers etc. A spiral staircase leads up into an almost identically furnished first floor bar. Emphasis on food and wine including Yates’s famous “blob”. Disabled WC. Recorded music. A disappointing real ale presence given the proximity of Wetherspoon and Hogshead outlets. Open all permitted hours.

NORTH

N8, ALL BAR ONE, 2 The Broadway. Draught Bass. Fuller: London Pride. Latest outlet for Bass chain in former shop premises opened December 1997. Long bar opening out at the back and decorated in typical style with all the usual attributes. Food. disabled WC. Opens 11.30-11 Mon- Sat. 12-10.30 Sundays.

ENFIELD (EN2), WHITEWEBBS HOUSE, Whitewebbs Park. off Whitewebbs Road. Boddington: Bitter. Flowers: Original Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. Marston: Pedigree. Very grand white painted mansion house in large grounds converted by Whitbread to a Brewers Favre family pub and restaurant opened in October 1997. Built originally in 1791 by Dr. Wilkinson in Regency style, it was altered by his grandson Henry Wilkinson to a French chateau style. In 1921 it was bought by either Middlesex County Council or Enfield Borough Council (history panels contradict each other) and became a home for the elderly. more recently falling into disuse. The entry from the large car park leads through double doors at the rear to a splendidly refurbished interior which includes a bar to the side and a series of separate eating areas created from the rooms of the mansion including fireplaces, chandeliers, a grandfather clock and old photos of the area. French windows lead down steps to an outdoor drinking/eating area with extensive views over the parkland. There is a well equipped outdoor children’s play area and also a “Charlie Chalk’s” indoor play zone downstairs, plus a separate toddlers’ area. Food served 11.30-10. Function room upstairs. Open all permitted hours. See also article: Another “New” Country Pub in last November’s London Drinker.

NORTH WEST

NW1, EUSTON FLYER, 83-87 Euston Road. Fuller: Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB. Plus Fullers seasonal beer and guest beers (G). Large new Fullers pub in spartan style approached through two double sets of doors, opened on ground floor of office block in November 1997. Guest beers served from 4 casks behind bar include those from Adnams, Brakspears and Marstons. Unpolished floorboards, lino and chunky tables and chairs. A locomotive bell on a string controlled from behind the bar features just inside the entrance. Raised seating areas at rear and side. Pictures of early flying machines and drinking characters. A bit of a mish-mash of styles and themes which doesn’t really come off. Food until 8pm weekdays and 6pm weekends. Open all permitted hours.

NW1, HOGSHEAD, 55 Parkway. Boddington: Bitter. Castle Eden: Fuggles Imperial. Flowers: Original Bitter, Abroad Cooper. Fuller: London Pride. Marston: Pedigree. Morland: Old Speckled Hen. Guest beers (H) & (G). Yet another Whitbread Hogshead Ale House opened December 1997 in former warehouse premises. A total of 10 handpumps and 4 direct from the cask behind the bar. Entrance on corner leads up steps to bar area decorated in typical style with exposed brickwork and ventilation ducts and wooden floors, complete with old pots on shelves. TV. Disabled WC. Food 12-6 Mon-Sat, 12-5 Sunday. Open all permitted hours.

NW1, WINDSOR CASTLE, 98 Park Road. Brakspear: Bitter, Special Bitter, Old Ale, OBJ, Reapers Revenge. Former Free House, reopened after three years closure and extensive renovations in December 1997 as Brakspear’s first London pub. Tastefully refurbished with a small ground floor bar with bare pine flooring, stools and tables and cream painted walls leading to a mezzanine level bar and up again to a carpeted upstairs seating and eating area overlooking the street. Black & white photos of Henley, the brewery and the former mineral water factory adorn the walls with beer mugs and old bottles behind the bar. Food served 12-3, 5-9.30 Mon-Sat. The pub is very welcome as Brakspear’s London flagship but the prices which vary between £2.10 for the Bitter and £2.32 for the OBJ are less welcome and may result in fewer beer drinkers seeking out the pub than would otherwise have been the case, with a consequent effect on beer quality. Open all permitted hours but has been known to close when trade Is slack. (N177)

NW9, HENNESS’YS, 543/545 Kingsbury Road. No real ale. Irish run Free House in former shop premises.

NW9, ROISIN DUBH, | Fryent Way. No real ale. Irish run Free House in former cafe premises.

SOUTH EAST

BROMLEY, BAR COAST, 204 High Street. No real ale. Latest opening in Bass owned chain in former shop premises.

BROMLEY (DOWNHAM), DOWNHAM TAVERN, Downham Way. Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. New Inntrepreneur leased pub built on site of former pub of the same name, now demolished, opened in October 1997. Comfortably furnished with wood panelling, raised seating area with fireplace. exposed brick pillars, wooden beams etc. Assorted bric-a-brac and pictures on the walls. TV. Open all permitted hours. (See also under pubs closed below, 3SE218, K203)

BROMLEY, JAZZMINS, 6/8 Elmfield Road. No real ale. New Free House bar in shop units.

CROYDON, BAR MONACO, 12 High Street.Boddington: Bitter. Brakspear: Bitter. Gale: HSB. New Regent Inns Free House, opened November 1997 in former shop premises, aimed at the “cafe bar” market. A mixture of styles including bare brick and yellow painted walls, green coloured seating, dark blue ceiling with exposed ventilation, polished wood flooring, multi coloured glass windows and abstract paintings - something for everyone? Steps at the rear lead to a basement sports bar with wide screen TV. Emphasis on food, wine and cocktails. Open all permitted hours.

CROYDON, CARTOON, 179-183 London Road. Reopened and renamed COOL ROOM. No real ale - now a music venue with admission charges at most times. Note correct address. (3SE237, U52, U5S5, U75, U114)

CROYDON, GRAIN & GRAPES. 282 High Street. Reopened and renamed OASIS. Guest beer (currently Hoskins: Churchill’s Pride). Previously DUCK, KEMBLES and WEST SIDE. (3SE251, U52, U94, U99, U101)

CROYDON, McCLUSKY’S, 80-88 High Street. No real ale. Free House/cocktail and music/dance venue opened in former shop premises. Admission charge after 10.30pm.

SOUTH WEST

SW1(W), ROYAL OAK, 2 Regency Street. Young: Bitter, Special, seasonal beer. reopened following residential redevelopment of adjacent site which now incorporates the upper storey of pub. The campaign to save the pub from closure by locals and helped by CAMRA has been successful in that apart from some repainting, little of its character has been changed and it remains a friendly and cosmopolitan local. (SW49)

SW2, McCLUSKI’S,142 Streatham Hill. No real ale. New bar attached to bowling alley run by Allied Leisure. H unused.

SW16, HOGSHEAD, 68-70 Streatham High Road. Boddington: Bitter. Castle Eden: Fuggles Imperial. Flowers: Original Bitter, Abroad Cooper. Fuller: London Pride. Young: Special. 4 Guest beers (G). Latest Whitbread Hogshead opened 29th December 1997 in former restaurant premises and fitted out in typical style. Raised seating areas either side of entrance lead through to bar and down steps to no smoking area at rear. “Gas” style lamps, wood panelling, green painted pillars, exposed brickwork and ventilation ducts etc. Old photos of Streatham together with some local history panels (a first for Hogshead?) adorn the walls. Disabled WC. Newspapers available for perusal. Food until 8pm (6pm Sunday). Open all permitted hours.

SW16 SOCCERS BAR, 225 Streatham High Road. No real ale. Free House/bar and night club in former commercial premises.

SW19, NAGS HEAD, 30 Morden Road, South Wimbledon. Fuller: London Pride. (SW118)

SURBITON, HOGSHEAD, 64/65 Victoria Road. Adnams: Bitter. Boddington: Bitter. Castle Eden: Fuggles Imperial. Flowers: Original Bitter, Abroad Cooper. Greene King: Abbot Ale. Marston: Pedigree. Morland: Old Speckled Hen. Wadworth: 6X. Wells: Bombardier. Guest beers (G) & (H). Another Whitbread Hogshead Ale House opened in December 1997 in former shop premises. A choice of beers from 15 handpumps and 8 casks behind the bar. Attractively furnished with an island bar and a variety of seating areas around the perimeter. Wood panelled walls, exposed brick pillars “gas style’ lamps, fireplaces etc. Old photos of Surbiton and beer related pictures on the walls. TV, background music. Disabled WC. Food 12- 9pm. Open all permitted hours.

WEST

W6, WILLIAM MORRIS, 2-4 King Street. Courage: Directors Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. Theakston: Best Bitter. Guest beers. Weston: 1st Quality Cider. The latest Wetherspoon London Free House opened in December 1997 in former shop premises and market hall storage premises with entrance also from Hammersmith Grove. The usual Wetherspoon decor with an L-shaped interior, raised no smoking/eating areas etc. Mosaics and mirrors behind the bar. Named after the 19th Century designer, poet and social reformer William Morris who resided locally. Panels reflecting his life and work and old photos of Hammersmith adorn the walls. Disabled WC. Food. Open all permitted hours.

W12, SPRINGBOK, 21 Shepherds Bush Green. No real ale. Free House/basement bar below shop units with South African theme, run by Old Monk Pub Co.

RUISLIP, WATERS EDGE, Reservoir Road, Ruislip Lido. Boddington: Bitter. Flowers: Original Bitter. Marston: Pedigree. Whitbread “Brewers Fayre” family pub and restaurant opened 1996 on site of former lido buildings but not previously reported. The single storey white painted building replicates the old lido and looks out over the lake. A bar and a variety of seating & eating areas screened off from each other, bare brick walls etc. Large outdoor drinking area including children’s play equipment. Adjoining “tuckshop” and nature conservation centre run by local council. Model railway runs along lakeside nearby. Also indoor children’s play area including separate toddlers’ area. Food served 11.30-10. Open all permitted hours.

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

CENTRAL

EC1, HORSESHOE & MAGPIE. Ex-Grand Met (Watney), now converted to flats. (E18)

EC1, LANGTON ARMS. Bass, closed, future uncertain. (E19, U72, U92)

EC2, LONDON GENERAL. Bass, closed, future uncertain. (E33)

EC4, RED LION. Bass, now demolished and site being redeveloped. (E53, U117)

W1(May), GILLRAYS. Whitbread, closed, future uncertain. (W39, U90, U93, U102)

EAST

E1, HORNS & HORSESHOE. Bass, converted to residential use. (E68, U108)

E1, JOLLY BUTCHERS. Ex Grand Met (Truman), now converted to retail use. (E68)

E1, MILLENNIUM. Bass, converted to “Cherokee Club”, a fantasy bar and restaurant. Formerly MOORINGS, previously IVORIES. (E68, U101, U119)

E2, DOLPHIN. Phoenix, closed, future uncertain. (E80, U69, U112)

E2, SHIP & BLUE BALL. Phoenix, converted to residential use. A sad end for the former Pitfield pub. (E85, U108, U112, U119)

E3, WHITETHORN, Ex Belhaven, now demolished. (E93, U70, U98)

E13, LORD RAGLAN. Grand Met (ex Courage), closed, future uncertain. (E136)

E14, GALLOWAY ARMS. Allied, closed, future uncertain. (E145)

E14, SIR CHARLES NAPIER. Ex Belhaven, closed, future uncertain. (E148)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, BRIDGE HOUSE (YE OLDE). Free House, closed, future uncertain. Former brew pub. (SE11)

SE1, NATIONAL FILM THEATRE BAR, Free House, H removed. (SE27)

SE10, BELL. Ascot, converted to fish & chip shop. (SE92, UU102, U113)

SE10, GREYCOAT BOY. Free House, closed future uncertain. (SE95)

SE17, VICTORY. Phoenix, converted to residential use. (SE161, U112)

BROMLEY, DOWNHAM TAVERN. Grand Met (ex Watney) , demolished and site redeveloped for supermarket and small pub (see new pubs above). Built in 1930 it was in the Guinness Book of Records as Britain’s largest pub at 9200 sq ft floor space. (3SE218, K203)

>h3>SOUTH WEST

SW9, COACH & HORSES, 348 Clapham Road. Renamed O. Free, H removed. (SW81)

SW9, PLOUGH. Renamed PLUG. Inntrepreneur, H removed. (SW82)

SW9, WHITE HART. Phoenix, closed, future uncertain. (SW84)

MITCHAM, HORSE & GROOM. Allied, now demolished. (SW146, U127)

WEST

W11, DUKE OF CORNWALL. Grand Met (Courage), converted to restaurant named Dakota. (W87)

W11, EARL OF ZETLAND. Renamed TUSCAN. Now a “bar and restaurant”, presumably free, ex Bass, H removed. (W88, U94)

HILLINGDON, PEAR TREE. Fuller, demolished to make way for housing. (W123)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

EC1, BOTTLESCRUE. Now opens 11.30-4, 5-8.30 Mon-Fri only. (U121) EC2, CROWDERS WELL. +Guest beers (G). (E30, U70, U87, U88)

EC2, SHORTS. Renamed CITY TUP. Third in small chain whose motto is “Ovus Optimae Sunt” (Sheep are best!) (E35, U88, U98)

EC3, BULLA, 9 Crutched Friars. Renamed McDAIDS, on ground floor with CLEMENTS wine bar and restaurant in basement. +Boddington: Bitter. +Greene King: IPA (Abbot only in Clements). +Guest beer (in Clements). Ground floor done out in Irish theme style. Basement has bare brick walls, dark beams etc. in “City wine bar” style and closes 9.30/10pm. Note full address. (E39)

EC3, CHESHIRE CHEESE. -Charrington: IPA. +Fuller: London Pride. (E39)

EC3, COCK & WOOLPACK. -Beers listed. +Adnams: Bitter. +Guest beers. Now a Free House, ex Bass. (E39)

EC3, JAMAICA WINE HOUSE. -Beers listed. +Draught Bass. +Guest beers. (E40, U69, U99)

EC3, SHIP TAVERN, [1 Talbot Court. Now simply SHIP. -Greene King: IPA. +Fuller: London Pride. (E42)

EC4, ALBION. Renamed FORSTER & FIRKIN. - Beers listed. +Firkin: B’ Ale (3.5%), Forster Ale (4.3%), Incarceration Ale (5.0%), Dogbolter (5.6%). Guest Firkin Ale. Addlestone: Cider. Latest nonbrewing Allied Firkin conversion in typical style, opened in new guise in December 1997. Beers supplied by Firkin brew pubs. Barrel tables, chandeliers etc. Ground floor and upstairs bars. Named after Stephen Forster, a 15th century petty criminal who came to London, was jailed in Ludgate Jail nearby, bailed and married a rich widow. He eventually became Lord Mayor of London in 1454. Food until 9pm. Opens 11-11 Mon-Sat, closed Sunday. Weekend hours may vary. (E45)

W1(Mar), QUEENS HEAD. Renamed MARYLEBONE TUP. -Beers listed except Courage: Directors Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. +Theakston: Best Bitter. Formerly NIKI’S. (W35, U54, U89)

EAST

E1, PRIDE OF SPITALFIELDS. +Guest beers. (E71)

E2, BISHOP BONNER. Now owned by Maple Leaf Inns, ex Allied (Taylor Walker), still closed. (E79, U120)

E2, SEBRIGHT ARMS. -Beers listed. +Marston: Pedigree. (E84)

E3, BRIDGE HOUSE. Now a Free House, ex Ascot. (E89, U98, U99) E7, OLD SPOTTED DOG. -Beers listed. +Guest beers, cider and perry. (E108)

E7, WAGGON & HORSES. Now Enterprise Inns Free House, ex Labatts. (E109, U98)

E8, CASTLE. Renamed FATHER TED’S. (E111)

E12, BLAKESLEY ARMS. -Beers listed. +Draught Bass. +Guest beer (Morland: Old Speckled Hen). Now badged by Bass as part of “East London Pub Co” chain. (E131)

E12, LJ’S BAR. Part renamed RABBITS, the remainder now named BACKSTAGE cabaret bar. Formerly THREE RABBITS. (E133, U100, U117)

E15, BACCHUS’S BIN. Now sells only 3 real ales. (E152, U118)

E15, DEW DROP INN. Now owned by Marr Taverns, ex Bass. (E153, U98)

E15, WOODMAN. Renamed DOROTHY’S AT THE WOODMAN. (E156 U123)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, COPPER. Renamed RIVER BAR & BRASSERIE. -Beers listed except Courage Best Bitter and Directors Bitter. +Harvey: Best Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. (SE12, U119)

SE18, HUNGRY HORSE. Reverted to FOX UNDER THE HILL but “Hungry Horse” still displayed to indicate chain/theme. (SE168, U102, U111)

BROMLEY (SUNDRIDGE PARK), HUNGRY HORSE. Reverted to TEASEL but “Hungry Horse” still displayed as chain/theme identification. (3SE220, US9, K164, U98, U99, U108)

SOUTH WEST

SW6, ROSE & CROWN. Renamed NOVELLO’S. - Toby Cask. +Draught Bass. (SW70)

SW8, NOTTINGHAM CASTLE. Renamed NOTT. -Beers listed. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. Refurbished in cafe-bar style. Still a Burkes Free House, now has disabled WC and large screen TV. (SW78)

SW9, WARRIOR. Renamed JUNCTION (LOUGHBOROUGH). A music and dance venue. Now H removed. (SW84)

SW16, GREYHOUND BREWERY. Now simply GREYHOUND. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter.+Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. Now badged as part of S&N’s “John Barras & Co” chain. No longer a brew pub. (SW105)

SW19, PRINCE OF WALES, 98 Morden Road. Renamed PRINCESS OF WALES. Reportedly otherwise unharmed after successful campaign to save pub. (SW118)

WEST

W2, PRINCE EDWARD. -Beers listed except Boddington Bitter. +Badger: Dorset Best, Tanglefoot. +Fuller: London Pride. Acquired by Hall & Woodhouse, ex Whitbread. A welcome addition to the London estate. (W62, U93)

W5, EDWARDS. -Fuller: London Pride. Now serves only Draught Bass. Formerly FIDDLERS THREE. (U103, U125, U126)

W11, BOOM BOOM (VIP BAR). Renamed JACS. Still fizz. Former Trumans identity engraved in stonework still prominent. Formerly BOLTON ABBEY. (W87, U92, U118)

W11, DUKE OF NORFOLK. -Beers listed. +Courage: Directors Bitter. No longer a brew pub. This leaves just two Scottish & Newcastle (ex Grand Met) brew pubs in London - the Yorkshire Grey, WC1 and the Orange Brewery, SW1. (W87, U51. U107)

W11, FUDRUCKERS. Renamed BABUSHKA. - Beers listed. +Adnams: Bitter. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. Formerly FROG & FIRKIN. (W88, U105)

W11, HOGSHEAD (IN PORTOBELLO). Renamed GATE (THE). -Beers listed except Flowers Original Bitter and Morland Old Speckled Hen. +Fuller: London Pride. Now apparently too small to fit with the Hogshead style. Formerly BLENHEIM ARMS. (W87, U51, U66, U89)

W11, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA. Renamed LIQUID LOUNGE, still fizz. (W90)

W11, WARWICK CASTLE. -Beers listed. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. (W90, U92)

HOUNSLOW, CHARIOT, 32/34 High Street. Renamed D.SHANNON & SONS (O’ROURKES). A Fullers Irish theme conversion taking in No. 32 next door. The front of No. 32 purports to be O’Rourkes, a chemist with No. 34 bearing the D.Shannon & Sons name. Usual phoney bric-a-brac inside (W126, U64)

HOUNSLOW, HUNGRY HORSE. Reverted to a former name HONEYCOMBE but retains Hungry Horse as theme name. Formerly RUBY TUESDAY. (W128, U91, U95, U98, U102, U117)

RUISLIP, GEORGE. -Beers listed. +Fuller: London Pride. (W137) RUISLIP, PLOUGH. -Flowers: Original Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Now a Whitbread Beefeater pub and restaurant. (W137, U62, U71)

TWICKENHAM, RED LION. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter. (W151, U90)