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.

This Month we welcome three new Wetherspoon pubs of which two, in N1 Islington and SW18 Wandsworth, are pub acquisitions, the other being a brand new pub in Thornton Heath - all unfortunately are equipped with brim measure glasses. Bass Leisure has opened a new brewpub as part of a bowling alley complex in SE16 Surrey Keys - the second of the type in the Capital. Another brewpub cafe/bar has been opened in Putney by the Parisa pub group. Both breweries, regrettably, use gas pressure to dispense their beers. The latest Whitbread Hogshead has opened in WC2, just off Leicester Square. The Slug & Lettuce chain have opened a new outlet in W12 Shepherds Bush and SFI have opened a new Litten Tree pub in Kenton. On the down side, the Lowndes Arms, the oldest pub in SW1 Belgravia, has closed following the granting of planning permission by Kensington & Chelsea Council for change of use to housing, despite local protests.

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.

NEW & REOPENED PUBS & PUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE

CENTRAL

EC1, CHEZ GERARD, 84, Roseberry Avenue. No real ale. Free House/restaurant and bar in former bank opened mid 1998.

WC1, POINT 101, 101 New Oxford St. No real ale. A Free House/cafe bar under Centre Point office block.

WC2, HOGSHEAD, 5 Lisle St. Boddington: Bitter. Flowers: Original Bitter. Greene King: Abbot Ale. Marston: Pedigree. Morland: Old Speckled Hen. Wadworth: 6X (H). 4 Guest beers (G). Beers may vary. Latest in Whitbread chain opened early November in former hospital for skin diseases building with attractive red sandstone and Dutch style frontage. Front lobby opens out to a bar in traditional style with wood panelling and wooden and stone flagged floor. Polished wood furniture and comfortable chairs and benches. Raised no-smoking area and 'fireplace' area at rear. Subtly lit with pale yellow ceiling, theatrical posters on walls and exposed ventilation ducts. Background music. Two staircases and a lift lead to upstairs bar with similar decor and beer range. The promoted "views of Leicester Square" are of the very restricted variety! Full menu and specials on board. Belgian bottled beers. Disabled WC via lift. Open all permitted hours.

NORTH

N1, BARTIZAN, 3/5 Islington High St. Renamed ANGEL. Courage: Directors Bitter. Marston: Sundance. Shepherd Neame: Spitfire. Theakston: Best Bitter. 3 Guest beers. Former Grosvenor Inns bar acquired and opened as a Wetherspoon Free House in late October. Retains its café bar style with french windows, yellow and red walls, cream ceiling, mirrors, abstract paintings and pine flooring. Raised, carpeted no-smoking eating/seating area at rear. The name is derived from the 17th Century Angel Inn which gave the district its name and stood next door on the site of No 1 Islington High St. The original building was replaced in 1819 and again in 1921 when the dome was added, before becoming a Lyons Corner House in 1922. Local history panels record these and other interesting details about the area. Disabled WC. Food. Formerly BAR CENTRAL. Open all permitted hours. (U113, U123)

NORTH WEST

HARROW, ANGIES, 2 The Broadway, Northolt Rd, Roxeth. No real ale. Irish run Free House in former shop unit.

HARROW, SHAWL, 320 Northolt Rd, South Harrow. Irish run Free House in former shop unit.

KENTON, LITTEN TREE, 177-179 Kenton Road. Boddington: Bitter; Courage: Directors Bitter; Wadworth: 6X. House beer (Litten Tree Best Bitter). Large, new SFI Free House opened late August in two former shop units. Carpeted throughout with raised seating area complete with sofas and dusty books. Coloured glass, 'roof lights', food, wide-screen TV, disco console. Special events on Thursdays including comedy, male strippers, drag artists, etc. Open all permitted hours.

SOUTH EAST

SE13, RISING SUN, 120 Loampit Vale. Fuller: London Pride. (SE121)

SE13, SYDNEY ARMS, 122 Lewisham Rd. Courage: Best Bitter. (SE123)

SE16, HOLLYWOOD BOWL, Surrey Quays Leisure Park, 3A Toredo St. Original: Best Bitter (3.8%), Glens Special (4.4%). New Bass Leisure 5 barrel length brewpub opened July 1998 and attached to 10 pin bowling alley complex. Both bitters are racked into casks but regrettably kept under mixed gas pressure in accordance with company policy. Also brews Pale Lager (4.1%) and Strong Lager (5.0%) served direct from tanks and two nitrokeg beers: Cream of Quays Lager (4.7%) and Cream of Quays Bitter (4.8%). Decorated in traditional pub style with pine wood flooring, chunky wooden tables and chairs, glass screens and tiled bar area. Raised seating area at rear. Pool table, TV and video games enclave. Description of brewing process and samples of malt and hops on display. Open all permitted hours.

THORNTON HEATH, BAR 68, 68 Brigstock Rd. Free House. No real ale. Free House/bar in former shop unit.

THORNTON HEATH, WETHERSPOONS, 2-4 Ambassador House, Brigstock Rd. Courage: Directors Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. Hopback: Summer Lightning. Marston: Sundance. Theakston: Best Bitter. Guest beer. Wetherspoon Free House, opened late October in rather bland former bank and restaurant premises. Large open plan pub with blue and green panelled walls and matching fussy carpet. French windows at front. No smoking/eating area at rear, alcove seating, soft lighting. Old photos of Thornton Heath and local history panels highlighting local characters. Video games. Disabled WC. Open all permitted hours. Something of a return to basics but with 'modern' overtones.

SOUTH WEST

SW1(P), SUSSEX ARMS, 17 Sussex St. Reopened and renamed CONTENTED VINE. Theakston: Best Bitter. Now more of an upmarket wine bar with beer. The usual light and modern look with plain woodwork. A screen subdivides the single bar. Large clear windows. Emphasis on food. Open all permitted hours. (SW44, U137, U138)

SW1(SJ), SPORTS CAFE, 80 Haymarket. No real ale. Free House/cafe bar with emphasis on sports, including video games, under office block. SW8, DEWDROP, 58 Stewarts Rd. Ind Coope: Burton Ale; Guest beer. (SW76, U130)

SW15, PARISA, 146-148 Putney High St. No real ale. Cafe/bar with in-house brewery opened in September in former shop and building society premises. A first London outlet in a Warrington based chain. Two beers are currently brewed - Parisa: Silver Shadow Ale (4.2%) and Parisa: Pilsner Lager (4.0%), in a cellar brewery, held in tanks believed to be under gas pressure and pumped to bar fonts. "Coppers" prominently displayed inside the front window may be part of the delivery system. Two other beers - Parisa: Gold Shadow Ale (5.0%) (a dark seasonal) and Parisa: Amber Shadow (3.5%) (a session bitter) were apparently tried but discontinued. A varying seasonal beer is likely to replace them. Heavy emphasis on food and wine with table service and limited bar space. Parisian theme featuring a "Madame Bollinger" champagne floozie. Attractively furnished with polished wooden floor, flagstones around bar, orange and cream painted walls etc. Opens 8am (9am Sat, 10am Sun) for breakfast and all permitted hours.

SW18, GLEESON & SONS CORNER HOUSE, 134 Wandsworth High St. Reverted to original name, ROSE & CROWN. Courage: Directors Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. Theakston: Best Bitter. 3 Guest beers. Acquired by Wetherspoons, retaining exterior glazing but completely remodelled inside in the latest, more modern bright mode, reopened in late October. A central bar with distinct areas in a variety of colours and seating with tiled, wooden and carpeted flooring. Local history panels and mosaic from local artist Gail Farnesi. A garden area with some imagination and plenty of seating is likely to be popular particularly in summer (over 18's only policy applies also to garden). No smoking areas. Food. Disabled WC. Open all permitted hours. (SW112)

WEST

W10, ION, 165 Ladbroke Grove. No real ale. New Free House/bar and restaurant under A40(M) motorway.

W12, SLUG & LETTUCE, 96-98 Uxbridge Rd. Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. Latest addition to chain decorated in typical style. Occupies part of the former WELLINGTON, converted to a Burger King restaurant in 1990 and unusually now reverted back to a pub. (W92, U56)

HAMPTON, RAILWAY, 125, Station Rd. Reverted to RAILWAY INN. Morland: The Tanners Jack, Ruddles Best Bitter. Now a Morland pub, ex Phoenix. (W103, U60, U100, U112)

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

CENTRAL

WC1, HARRISON ARMS. Ex Grand Met (Watney), closed, future uncertain. (W46, N23)

WC2, POLAR BEAR. Renamed WEST CENTRAL (also written in Chinese). Bass, H removed. (W56, U67)

NORTH

N1, NOLIAS CAFE BAR. Free House, converted to Jindivick restaurant. (N53)

NORTH WEST

HARROW, LA PARISIENNE BAR. Renamed OSCARS. Free House, H removed. (W113)

SOUTH EAST

SE13, FREEMASON'S ARMS. Ex Grand Met (Courage), closed, future uncertain. (SE 120)

SE13, HANSBURY'S. Free House, no real ale. (SE120, U102)

SE18, FORT TAVERN. Phoenix, converted to residential use. (SE168, U112, U125)

SOUTH WEST

SW1(B), LOWNDES ARMS. Inntrepreneur, closed after Kensington & Chelsea Council granted planning permission for change of use to residential against the wishes of the local residents. The sad loss of one of the oldest pubs in Belgravia. (SW38)

SW4, RAILWAY. Bass, H unused. (SW60, U135)

SW8, BUILDERS ARMS. Marr Taverns, H removed. (SW76)

SW8, BRITANNIA. Renamed BRITANNIA PUB TAPAS BAR. Inntrepreneur, H removed. (SW76)

SW8, CANTON. Bass, H unused. (SW76)

SW8, CAFE MONEYPENNY. Free House, H removed. (SW76)

SW8, CAVENDISH ARMS. Discovery Inns, H unused. (SW76)

SW8, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE. Bass, H removed. (SW76)

SW8, FEELEYS FREE HOUSE (PRINCE OF WALES). Free House, H unused. (SW78)

SW8, PORTLAND ARMS. Free House, H removed. (SW79)

SW8, SHAFTESBURY. Renamed SHAFTESBURY CAFE. Free House, H unused. (SW80)

SW8, VASCO DA GAMA. Sycamore Taverns, H removed. (SW80)

SW9, BREWERY TAP. Mayfair Taverns, H unused. (SW81)

SW9, COACH & HORSES, 443 Coldharbour Lane. Inntrepreneur, closed, future uncertain. (SW82)

SW9, OLD WHITE HORSE. Allied Domecq. H unused. (SW82)

SW9, SWAN. Inntrepreneur, H removed. Now open evenings only until late from 5pm Mon-Fri, 7pm Sat and Sun. (SW83)

SW11, CEDARS. Ascot Estates, H unused. (SW87)

SW14, QUEENS ARMS. Free House. Now demolished for housing development. (Green tiled facade is to be retained in new building according to planning approval). (SW98, U138)

WEST

W2, IRON GATE. Ex-Courage. Now demolished (W59, U69).

W2, TYBURN. Renamed HANGING TREE. Ex Grand Met (Courage), H removed. Now a café-bar. (W64, U76, U93)

BRENTFORD, WINDMILL. Free (Labatts). Now demolished for housing development. (W99, U68, U79, U100, U132)

HAMPTON WICK, RAILWAY TAVERN. Ex-Courage. Closed, future uncertain. (W106)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

W1(May), SHELLEYS. -Nicholson: Best Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. (W40, U98)

W1 (May), VIGOS. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter. No longer badged as Youngers but still S&N. Formerly THISTLE. (W40, U48, U90, U92)

W1(S), BATH HOUSE. -Marston: Pedigree. -Wadworth: 6X. +Adnams: Bitter. +House Beer. (W41, U48, U93, U129)

W1(S), PLANTERS & HALF SOVEREIGN BAR. Renamed CALLAGHANS. Now Irish theme bar. Still fizz. (W43)

WC1, FALKLAND ARMS. Reverted to BULL & MOUTH. Now badged as part of T&J Bernard chain. (W46, U106)

EAST

E1, LORD RODNEY'S HEAD. +Guest beer. (E69)

E3, BLUE ANCHOR. -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. +Guest beers. (E89, U77)

NORTH WEST

NW1, RUSSELL ARMS. Renamed J D YOUNG (JD'S) SPORTSBAR. Still fizz. (N174)

SOUTH EAST

SE18, PRINCESS OF WALES. Renamed RAM BAR. (SE173)

CROYDON, JOHN B KEANE. Renamed CLOCKTOWER (YE OLDE). -Beers listed. +Flowers: Original Bitter. Formerly MAIL COACH. (3SE245, U49)

SOUTH WEST

SW1 (P), ORANGE KIPPER. Renamed HEDGEHOG & PHEASANT. -Beers listed. +Greene King: IPA, Abbot Ale. Now badged as Greene King ex-Magic Pub Co. Refurbished with green and cream exterior and fashionably light brown and cream interior with wooden floors, some mirrors, clear windows etc. (SW41)

SW8, DUCHESS OF YORK. -John Smith: Bitter. (SW76)

SW8, GOOD FELLOWS. -Young: Special. (SW78)

SW8, MASONS ARMS. -Beers listed. +Brakspear: Bitter. (SW78)

SW8, NOTT. -Courage: Best Bitter. -Fuller: London Pride. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Young: Bitter. Formerly NOTTINGHAM CASTLE. (SW78, U131)

SW8, ROEBUCK. -Worthington: Best Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride; +Draught Bass or Wadworth 6X. (SW79)

SW8, VICTORIA, 166 Queenstown Rd. -John Smith: Bitter. +Courage: Directors Bitter. (SW80)

SW8, VICTORIA, 642, Wandsworth Rd. +Bass: Toby Cask. (SW80)

SW9, LANDOR. -John Smith: Bitter. -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. (SW82)

SW9, QUEEN. -Beers Listed +Bass: Toby Cask. (SW83)

SW11, BEAUFOY ARMS. Now BEAUFOY BAR. Now H removed. (SW86)

SW11, NEW CRAVEN. Renamed HARVEYS. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. +2 guest beers. Formerly HARVEY FLOORBANGERS (BAR). (SW89. U137)

SW11, PUZZLE. +Guest beer. (U140)

SW18, PARK TAVERN. -Beers listed except Courage: Best Bitter and guest beer. +Brakspear: Bitter (or alternative Brakspear beer). +Wadworth: 6X. (SW113, U137)

SW18, SLUG & LETTUCE. No longer displays any name following its sale by Grosvenor Inns. -Beers listed. +3 guest beers (all Brakspear on recent visit). (SW114)

CARSHALTON, WOODMAN WINE BAR. Renamed OLD DUCKS WINE BAR. (SW130)

WEST

W14, PICKLED NEWT (OLYMPIA). Reverted to LIVE & LET LIVE. Now rebadged as Greene King, formerly Magic Pub Co. (W94, U71, U92, U97, U98, U119)

W14, RAT & CARROT (FOX). Renamed FOX, RATTLE & HUM. Formerly FOX and FOX TAVERN. (W94, U71, U95, U98, U114)

HOUNSLOW, SHIRE HORSE. -Beers listed. +Hardy: Country Bitter. +Guest beer. (W128, U45, U67, U71, U89, U105)