Comments on: East End Pubs, Then & Now

By: Shawdian

Shawdian — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:09:28 +0000

What a marvellous set of photographs! Absolutely splended. The sepia & black & white especially help to make everything so nostalgic. What a difference photography makes
to our lives. I think it is essential that we have the past to look back on as well as in print.
Wonderful to see people here in the reviews who have family related to the people or towns in these photos. Such a shame so many public houses are closing down. In Leeds, my brother informs me that all 15 public house that he patronised for over 3o years have all been pulled
down within the last 7 years. These were fine Victorian buildings that people loved to congregate and enjoy a drink, now they are devastated as they have no where to go! Such
a shame and such a waste.

By: Steve Radzi

Steve Radzi — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 13:23:06 +0000

I’m surprised ‘The Rose & Punchbowl’ on Redmans Road and Jubilee Street, Stepney, not mentioned. Apparently it is no longer there. A retreat for the finest of East London Car Dealers in the 60’s. My parents managed the place for several years.

By: Caroline Church

Caroline Church — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 01:45:38 +0000

Thanks for including The Old Blue Anchor in Whitechapel. It was rebuilt in 1854 after a fire, by my gg grandfather George Church. The newspaper report: “Yesterday (Christmas morning) a fearful fire, by which several persons nearly lost their lives, occurred in the premises belonging to Mr Geo. Church, licenced victualler and proprietor of the Blue Anchor Tavern, No 67 1/2 Whitechapel Road….The Royal Society’s fire escape promptly attended, but as the machine drove up in front of the house, the affrighted inmates succeeded in leaving the building by the side door….owing to the large quantity of spirits in the place, the fire spread with alarming rapidity…the whole of the blazing building toppled over and fell into the street… The premises and contents are totally destroyed. Mr Abraham’s tobacco warehouse is also severely damaged by fire, and the contents by water. The coffee house of Mr C.Grove, No 66 is likewise greatly damaged, and so are the premises of Mr W. Plumpter, woollen draper, nos 68 and 69 by breakage and hasty removal. The losses will fall principally on the Sun fire-Office. The origin of the fire is enveloped in mystery….” George Church had several encounters with the law, and I can’t help wondering about the mysterious circumstances of the fire, which resulted in this fine building.

By: John Medd

John Medd — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 22:48:35 +0000

I love your blog. Really I do; you can tell that by the amount of times I tweet you (and I do try to remember to credit you, mostly). But, and don’t worry it’s not a big but, my only tiny criticism is this: when you post your ‘then and now’ photos, can you place them side by side – instead of like bunk beds? There, I told you it wasn’t a big but, didn’t I?

By: Sigrid

Sigrid — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 19:18:08 +0000

Great to see the then and now pictures. I had no idea The White Swan was called The Jubilee before. ( or that what is now Butchers Row was part of Cable Street then.)

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 18:08:04 +0000

I agree with Caroline, never before have I felt that the only thing to do is to take to drink, although I fear that it won’t be possible in my relative’s East End hostelry as that has long since gone. Ah well, c’est la vie as our French friends say.

By: Achim

Achim — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:33:36 +0000

Fine pictures. And after the BREXIT the “now pictures” have their own value: From now on the beer tastes twice as good!

My absolut Respect for this brave decision of the Britons! 😉

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:28:40 +0000

I love the ‘now & then’ format. I wondered if my families pubs might be included – not this time! Perhaps there will be more and I will get lucky!

By: Teresa Stokes

Teresa Stokes — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:33:10 +0000

I have always loved “then and now” pictures. And I was pleased to see there are actually more pubs still going than I expected there to be. But what on earth is that ghastly structure at the Experienced Fowler? Looks like a concentration camp complete with watch tower!

By: Roger Bradbury

Roger Bradbury — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:19:02 +0000

It’s interesting to see how much change there has been between the 70s and 80s, and today. There’s quite a few still serving. When I grew up and started drinking in Winslow, Bucks, there were eight pubs. Now there are four. Of the ones that closed, one is now the vet’s, and the rest are houses.