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At The Golden Heart

January 18, 2025
by the gentle author

Photographer Phil Maxwell knows that the centre of the universe in Spitalfields is The Golden Heart on the corner of Hanbury St and Commercial St where publican Sandra Esqulant, hula-hoop champion and spiritual mother of our community, has presided for more than forty years.

“I cannot count the number of times I have said, “Wouldn’t it be great to go for a pint at The Golden Heart?” Relaxing with a drink and snatching a few moments with my friend Sandra has always been one of life’s great pleasures. Some of these photographs were taken as I drank a pint of real ale outside the ‘Heart’ with my partner Hazuan Hashim. If you enjoy people watching, then there is nowhere better in Spitalfields than the pavement outside The Golden Heart.”

Phil Maxwell


Photographs copyright © Phil Maxwell

Follow Phil Maxwell’s blog Playground of an East End Photographer

See more of Phil Maxwell’s work here

Phil Maxwell’s Brick Lane

The Cat Lady of Spitalfields

Phil Maxwell’s Kids on the Street

Phil Maxwell, Photographer

Phil Maxwell & Sandra Esqulant, Photographer & Muse

Phil Maxwell’s Old Ladies

More of Phil Maxwell’s Old Ladies

Phil Maxwell’s Old Ladies in Colour

Phil Maxwell on the Tube

Phil Maxwell at the Spitalfields Market

Phil Maxwell on Wentworth St

3 Responses leave one →
  1. Milo permalink
    January 18, 2025

    Wonderful. If you’ve ever seen the movie ‘Smoke’ this reminds me of that which is about a man who takes photographs on the same corner in New York over many years as they pass by.

  2. January 18, 2025

    Great pictures. I’d go to the Golden Heart if I lived anywhere near.

  3. January 18, 2025

    Yes, you should definitely have a regular pub like this. Mine is called ULENSPIEGEL and I’ve been a guest there for 25 years. In the better days, I only had to approach the building for my GUINNESS to be tapped inside!

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

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