Comments on: Vivian Betts Of The Primrose

By: Diane Walsh

Diane Walsh — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:43:03 +0000

Smashing article – I work in the building (201 Bishopsgate) that was built on the site.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:42:07 +0000

Great stories.
The old London, still alive.

By: paul loften

paul loften — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 11:46:59 +0000

Thank you and Vi for bringing back memories of old Bishopsgate as a place for human beings and not glass towers . I remember the pub well although never went in there . There was a time in the early seventies that we used to meet up in the Black Raven nearby, also in Bishopsgate on a Friday night . I reckon there can’t be many people who were not Teds that can lay claim to that. Although you did get a few railway workers from Liverpool Street in there. It did have a reputation, but if you went in there and apreciated the music and the Teddy Boy ambiance it was the greatest place . The old juke box would bounce up and down towards closing time with Little Richard , Chuck Berry and Danny and the Juniors blasting at full pelt . There was wild dancing with the men dressed in the full Teddy attire . No ladies allowed on the floor . They stood on the side and watched in admiration the men doing the hop, which by the way, was not allowed because, I understand they didnt have a licence .

By: Achim

Achim — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 09:57:37 +0000

An impressive pub story. And I can understand the sadness at the loss of old neighborhood. That’s the disadvantage of urban development: everything usually becomes uglier and inhuman….

But still: the memories remain. They are the only patradies from which we cannot be displaced!

Vivian & Toto — a little bit like a coming Marilyn Monroe!

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: Di Corry

Di Corry — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 09:35:44 +0000

I remember The Primrose very well, this blog has taken me on another trip down memory lane.
I seem to recall they had live music there on occasions in the late 1960’s and my cousin Michael played there with his small group of musician friends.

By: Peter Hart

Peter Hart — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 09:06:36 +0000

Lovely story and pictures. Thank you.

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 08:38:47 +0000

A great insight into ‘pub’ life. My mother was very anti pubs, although did allow me, in 1959, to go to a school friend’s birthday tea in the flat above the Tattersall’s Tavern in Knightsbridge, where my friend’s dad was the landlord. It felt very exciting to be there as a 10 yr old, although I never did get to see the inside of the pub!

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 08:10:40 +0000

I went to school (Sir John Cass’s Primary) with the two daughters of the publican of The Kings Arms, Hilary and Beverley Alfred. This would have been between 1965-1972.