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Brixton’s Canterbury Arms holds a clear out sale over the weekend

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Brixton's Canterbury Arms holds a clear out sale over the weekend

With Brixton’s Canterbury Arms serving its last customer today ahead of the pub’s demolition, the owners are holding a clear out sale in the backroom of the pub.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms holds a clear out sale over the weekend

The sale will take place tomorrow afternoon (Sat 5th) between 12 -4pm in the back bar, and again on Sunday between 2-pm-4pm.

There will be lots of miscellaneous household, electrical, and furniture items, and maybe you’ll be able to grab yourself a piece of Brixton history before the pub gets crushed into dust in the name of gentrification.

Chat about the Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

Details:
The Canterbury Arms [map]
8 Canterbury Crescent, SW9,
Tel: 020 7274 1711
Nearest tube: Brixton

Read our review of the pub here.


Fourteen years of drinking: a Brixton bar and club guide from 2001

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Fourteen years of drinking: a Brixton bar and club guide from 2001

Digging through the archives of our sister site urban 75, we came across our Brixton Bar & Club Guide from 2001, and it was interesting to see what has – and what hasn’t – changed in the ensuing 14 years.

Although many of the venues are still with us, far too many have since been priced out, flattened into the ground or turned into supermarkets as property developers cash in on Brixton’s continuing gentrification – a process that seems to have accelerated recently with the closures of Kaff, the Canterbury Arms, the Grosvenor and the Queen’s Head.

We’ve reproduced the full original listings below, with our updates quoted in dark red text. The venues were originally rather unscientifically rated from one to five stars (* to *****), and some archive photos have been added to the feature – we hope you enjoy the memories!

Brixton Bar & Guide 2001 by urban75

** The ANGEL

Angel pub 2000

354 Coldharbour Lane [Pic: Through the window at the Angel, Dec 2000]
2001 REVIEW: Thankfully untouched by the yuppification of Brixton, this predominantly black, traditional boozer hasn’t changed in a decade. Not a bar for pilled up, day-glo clubbers demanding techno, then.

UPDATE 2015: Closed in 2006, and bought up by eyebrow-raising millionaire property developers Lexadon and left empty for years. It was briefly used by the Brick Box art project, and after another long empty spell it opened up as the Mamma Dough pizzeria in September 2015.

*** BABUSHKA

The Hope - formerly Mango Landin' and Babushka - remembered in wonderful archive photos, 40 St Matthews Rd, London, Brixton, SW2 1NL

40 St Matthews Road, SW9
2001 REVIEW: This was one of those dodgy old boozers where dominoes were as exciting as it ever got until receiving a trendy once-over. Now it’s got the de rigeur sound system, a wide selection of shorts and bottled lager and, on some occasions, hefty doormen. We quite like it.

UPDATE 2015: Babushka proved to be short lived, with the venue soon reopening as the popular Mango Landin’.  Sadly, it closed its doors for good in 2014, and the building was flattened in Feb 2015 to be replaced by the inevitable luxury flats.

*** BAZE II BAZE

10-12 Tunstall Road, SW9
Serving up excellent breakfasts and good value meals throughout the day, this restaurant/bar is handily situated opposite the tube station. At night it turns into a lively bar with over 70 cocktails on offer and salsa, Latin and jazz in the basement. Open till 12 most nights.

Closed around 2005 and is now a branch of US fast food chain Subway.

* THE BEEHIVE

The Beehive, 407 Brixton Road, Brixton - review

407 Brixton Rd, SW9 7DG
Garishly lit Wetherspoons pub with hyperactive ashtray cleaners, security cameras tracking your every sip and hideous fake decor. Sure, it’s dirt cheap, the beer’s not bad and the food has reputedly got better, but it’s not a place we’d want to spend any time in.

Happily, The Beehive is still with us and has mightily improved over the years. It’s still as cheap as chips too. See our review.

BRADY’S (closed)

Bottom slapping police cars and a busy market. Brixton in 2001

Atlantic Rd SW9
Brady’s remains closed and only those with long memories can recall the utterly mad nights of hardcore drinking and debauchery that used to go on there. This was one pub where the new Brixton trendies would never set foot in!

Despite a huge community effort to reopen the pub as a community resource, Lambeth went for the quick buck and flogged the building off to off shore developers. It’s now a branch of the Mexican themed chain Wahaca, with private flats upstairs. 

***BRIXTON ACADEMY 

Brixton/Ferndale Rd
One of the most famous major venues in Britain, the Academy plays host to regular major concerts and occasional club nights. We’ve had some blinding nights there.

The world famous venue is still here and still hosting big bands and acts 

**** BRIXTONIAN HAVANA CLUB

Beehive Place, SW9
An essential Brixton stop-off, the Brixtonian serves up a huge range of top rums and awesome cocktails (including the infamous ‘Brixton Riot’). It’s a very stylish bar and although weekends can get a little too packed, we like it a lot.

Even though it was popular with locals, the Havana soon vanished and little was heard of the site until it was relaunched in Nov 2014 as the ‘pop up’ Beehive Place restaurant.

**** BUG BAR

The Crypt, St Matthews Church, SW2
Situated in the crypt below St Matthews Church, the Bug Bar is a great starting point for a night on the town. Intimate, dark and friendly, there’s good nights with drum’n’bass, reggae and house on the decks along with the occasional live band and comedy night. Beer’s a bit expensive but it’s usually free to get in on weekdays and stays open till 2am (3am Fri/Sat, 2am Sun)

The Bug Bar went on to become a restaurant/bar called Babalou, which in turn was replaced by a Spanish themed bar and restaurant called Gremio Brixton in March 2013.

** CANTERBURY ARMS

This pub has 24 hours to live - the end of Brixton's Canterbury Arms in photos, September, 2015

8, Canterbury Cres, SW9 7QD
Lesser known Irish pub, untroubled by new wallpaper for some time. Occasionally puts on some good gigs in a largish events room.

Regular club nights such as the long-running How Does It Feel To Be Loved and Time Tunnel, and before that, the Mule Club, PROD and the legendary Hat Parties made the Canterbury Arms an important focus of Brixton nightlife. Tragically, this Victorian pub closed for good on the 5th September 2015 and will be flattened to make way for upmarket private flats 

****CLUB 414

414 Coldharbour Lane, SW9
One of our favourite clubs anywhere. Small, dark and relaxed, the 414 plays thumping hard house and techno from Thurs to Sunday, open till 6am with reasonable admission prices – especially if you get there early. Our favourite night has to be Nuclear Free with the Liberators – loud, hot and sweaty. Nice!

Still going strong – and playing pretty exactly much the same music – but now facing eviction as bloody gentrification continues to sweep through central Brixton.

**CLUB SALSA

 

Loughborough Hotel, SW9
Popular and long running Salsa night at the Loughborough Hotel on Fridays. It doesn’t rattle our maracas but others love it.

The pub closed around 2007 and has since been converted to upmarket private housing.

**** DOGSTAR

Brixton ten years ago – Coldharbour Lane, Jah Rasta and Ladies Car Wash – October 2004

389 Coldharbour Lane, SW9
(Formerly The Atlantic). The Dog is one of Brixton’s most popular bar/clubs. In the week it’s free to get in and stays open till 2am (4am Fri/Sat) with the reasonably priced beer and excellent DJs pulling a very lively Brixton crowd. We recommended Sun to Thurs nights. Come the weekend, however, and it’s a very different story as the place is transformed into Cheesy High-Heel Disco Hell. Hordes of Cla’am Tamara’s and Tarquin’s descend en masse, leaping straight out of their taxis (no need to mix it with those nasty rough Brixton types) and into the drunken chat-up inferno inside. It is ghastly. Avoid at all costs.

The Dogstar is still here and pulling in even bigger crowds, with queues stretching for miles on the weekends. Read more in our review.  

**** DUKE OF EDINBURGH

DUKE OF EDINBURGH

204, Ferndale Rd, SW9 8AG [Pic: The pub in 2002]
A little off the beaten track, this pub rewards with an immense garden with a barbecue lending it a mini-festival atmosphere at times. A recently less-than-successful modernisation has spoilt the atmosphere a bit, but it’s still one of the best pubs around – although it can get hideously crowded on weekends.

It’s had its up and downs over the years, but the Duke is in fine shape these days, and its future is looking very secure thanks to a recent Grade II listing

***** EFFRA HALL TAVERN

Saltoun Rd, SW2
A winning combination of great Guinness, a friendly mixed crowd and superb live jazz on Sundays make this a highly recommended Brixton pub.

There’s been some changes inside – the two bars have now merged into one – but the regular jazz nights are still happening and the pub has retained its distinctly ‘Brixton’ vibe.

** THE FRIDGE

fridge-2001

[Pic: Escape From Samsara at the Fridge, 2001]

 THE FRIDGE 1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill

1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill [Pic: Topcats at the Fridge, 2003]
This used to be one of our favourite haunts, but the continuing heavy handed security, trickling water taps and overcrowding have made us less inclined to visit. If prancing around with a load of fluoro’d up tranceheads is your thang, you’ll probably like Escape From Samsara. If – for some reason – you find yourself with an unstoppable urge to “invoke the Celtic Tribal Spirit”, you should get down to Pendragon – once you’ve forgotten the cod-Arthurian tosh you should be in for a good night of banging techno and hard trance. The Fridge also hosts several popular gay nights. Admission varies but is generally around £8 – £12.

After several unsuccessful reboots, the venue was relaunched as the Electric Brixton in September 2011, and played host to our big Brixton Fightback show in June 2015. Locals still call it the Fridge, mind. 

*** FRIDGE BAR

Brixton ten years ago - Banksy, Bar and Grill, preacher and skatepark, March 2004

1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill
A small and friendly joint with a busy street level bar and a delightfully sleazy dark dance floor downstairs. It attracts a busy mixed gay/straight crowd on weekends, but we like it best as a chill out on Sunday nights.  Admission is free weekdays (open till 2am, 4am weekends). For the serious clubber, the bar opens at 6am on Saturdays with a charge on the door.

The Fridge Bar is still in business serving drinkers and clubbers, but its future is now seriously in doubt after we broke the news that Lambeth was serving a Compulsory Purchase Order on the building as part of their plans for the New Town Hall. It seems Lambeth didn’t bother telling the furious owners about their plans, as they heard it first on Buzz

THE GOOSE

Brixton ten years ago - Speedy Noodles, Homelook and The Goose pub, January 2004, south London

Brixton Rd, SW9
Formerly the Flourmill and Firkin, this pub remains cavernous, empty and unappealing, we’ve never even been tempted past the front door. Maybe it’ll get better in time, but at the moment we can’t recommend it.

After they gave up on The Goose in April 2008, the bar became Ivan’s Retreat until Sept 2009 before settling on its final incarnation as The Rest Is Noise. A compelling mix of trendy and old school Brixton,  the bar put on some fine gigs and DJ nights before closing for good in Feb 2011. It’s now a branch of TK Maxx.

**** GEORGE IV

End of an era - the Tesco sign goes up on the George IV pub on Brixton Hill

Brixton Hill, SW9
Although a bit of a hike up Brixton Hill, the George IV hosts some fine club nights and boasts the only 7 day license in Brixton.

It has a 2am alcohol licence every day of the week and it’s open till 6AM Wednesday – Sunday. Admission is usually around 4-6 quid.

Despite a valiant attempt by the local community to save the pub (called the Music Bar by the end) and its inclusion as an asset of community value, this fine Victorian pub closed in 2013 and is now a Tesco. It had been a public house and concert and dance venue since 1864. A real loss for Brixton. 

GREEN MAN (closed)

Coldharbour Lane, Loughborough Junction

Closed after escalating problems with drug dealers. Building expected to be converted into flats.

Once described as the ‘roughest pub in London,’ read our history feature here. . 

*** HARMONY (formerly MINGLES)

82, Railton Rd, SE24
Open Fri/ Sat only (but till 3.30am) Harmony is a modern brick pub (rebuilt after the 1981 riots) with a small dancefloor and a (rarely open) backyard/garden. Friday is usually packed out. The music is mainly lovers rock reggae, with a bit of ragga and soul here and there. Can have a terrific atmosphere if you’re a reggae fan, although a misguided ‘no trainers’ rule has been introduced recently – but hopefully that won’t last long!

Closed in 2013 after a very brief finale as La’Pearl, and has now been demolished to make way for private flats. See photo feature: Lost Brixton pubs: Harmony Bar/Mingles/The George on Railton Road, Brixton.

** HAMILTON ARMS

Brixton life ten years ago: The Hamilton Arms, 128 Railton Road, SE24

Railton Rd, SE24
Traditional estate boozer with basic food and Sky TV.

The pub closed in 2004 and is now a mini-mart. See photo feature: Brixton life ten years ago: The Hamilton Arms, 128 Railton Road, SE24

**** HOPE AND ANCHOR

123, Acre Lane, SW2 5UA
Friendly pub with big garden and particularly welcoming to families with kids. One of the best places to catch a full, traditional Sunday dinner in Brixton (although sadly not too many veggie choices).

Now polished up and rebranded as past of the shiny Grand Union pub chain.

**** HOBGOBLIN

HOBGOBLIN Tulse Hill, SW2

Tulse Hill, SW2
This cavernous corner pub at the top of Effra Rd incorporates a separate club space and is open till midnight Monday to Thursday, 2am Friday, Saturday. Weeknights there’s a variety of events, from salsa classes, to open-mic singers nights, to poetry and comedy with uplifting house/ drum & bass nights. It’s a very down-to-earth, unpretentious pub with a busy outdoor area with food in the summer, attracting a genuine mixture of friendly Brixton locals, although there are reports of an increasingly heavy vibe.

A curious Scottish-themed rebranding in 2007 saw the former George Canning being renamed as Hootananny, but thankfully they soon abandoned the full on Caledonian music policy, and the venue now thrives as a hugely popular live music venue, with a strong reggae lilt.

THE JUNCTION

Loughborough Junc/Coldharbour Lane SW9
Currently closed.

One of many Loughborough Junction pubs to bite the dust, the former Warrrior pub is now a Tesco. It’s a shame too, as it was a bloody good boozer.

*** THE LANDOR

70, Landor Rd, SW9 9PH
Situated on Landor road over the railway from the Duke of Edinburgh on the cusp of Cla’am. This is one of the last unfussy pubs around, despite a curious refurbishment which stuck boats and similar daft trinkets on the ceiling. There’s a big beer garden, plenty of pool tables and even a theatre upstairs. It’s a great place for a relaxing drink with a friendly crowd.

Still up and running. Huzzah!

**** LIVING

443 Coldharbour La, SW9
(Formerly The Living Room) Starting life as a timewarp old fogies pub called ‘The Coach and Horses’ before being yuppified into the IsoBar in 1999, the Living Room comes as close to a New York bar as Brixton can get. Go there on a good night and you can have an excellent time, enjoying the quirky DJs, reasonable beer and laid back vibe. Go there on a (increasingly more common) bad night and expect to put up with masses of security, big queues, heaving crowds, hurling punters, loud cheesy music and even a “couples only” policy – and the prospect of admission charges. Open till 2am every night (free), weekends open till 4am free b4 10pm / £5 after.

After a curious spell around 2009 when the place was turned into a butchers and fishmongers (with hairdressing space above), it was successfully rebranded as Market House, and now features DJ nights packing in the punters over the weekend.

**** MASS CLUB

Alabama 3 at Mass, Dec 2000

St Matthews Church, Brixton Hill, SW9 [Pic: Alabama 3 at Mass, Dec 2000]
Situated above the Bug bar, Mass is a sizeable venue with a good reputation for their hard house nights on the weekend. A converted church, its dark and dingy interior plays host to some of the best nights in London, although the two rooms can get a bit rammed.

Closed in 2012 in a blaze of debt.

** MUCKY DUCK

The closed pubs of Coldharbour Lane, from Brixton to Loughborough Junction

201 Coldharbour La, SW9
With unquestionably the worst pub name in Brixton, the (ahem) ‘Duck’ is an old fashioned, no-nonsense pub. There’s a very mixed crowd inside, of all ages, with some good ska/reggae/house DJs occasionally playing out (Open till 1am weekends). Free admission.

Originally known as The Crown, the pub closed in 2002 and was then briefly squatted before turning into a Co-op supermarket in 2014.

The PLUG

90 Stockwell Rd, SW9 9JQ
Currently closed.

Once an important part of the London jazz scene, the Plough was unsuccessfully rebranded as The Plug, with the owners hoping to capitalise on the popularity of nearby club bars like the Dogstar. Despite on-trend DJs being installed, the old locals refused to budge and the bright new things never showed up. The pub never reopened and – incredibly – it’s still empty today.

***** PRINCE ALBERT

prince-albert-2002
418 Coldharbour La, SW9
Unquestionably, the finest pub in Brixton! Attracting a mixed and very friendly crowd, the Albert enjoys a fierce loyalty from its patrons who enjoy the cheap beer, extremely eclectic music selection and the firm but fair rule of its legendary landlady, Pat. Located next door to the 414 Club, this is the best place for a pre-club drink or just a pub night out. We recommend it. Any night! Every night!

Sadly, Pat died in 2006, but the Albert lives on and manages to retain some of the independent spirit of its glory years (although the eviction of a large chunk of its regulars took away something of its once indomitable community vibe)

*** PRINCE OF WALES

469, Coldharbour Lane, SW9
Another pub to get the glossy makeover treatment – now resplendent in a fetching ‘Mediterranean’ colour scheme – the POW has never had quite enough character to make it an urban75 essential stop-off, despite its late weekend opening hours (1am). Plus points are that it’s free and some of the DJs aren’t too bad, but this is offset by beery non-locals getting tanked up en route to the Fridge, or some of the bar staff who get extremely rude come 1am.

Surviving a slew of rebrands, the Prince is now also known as PoW and offers a ground floor bar, first floor club venue and roof terrace. Their Thursday night jazz nights are great.

** THE QUEEN

45 Bellefields Road SW9 9UH
Ever wondered where all the hard-core, dribbling alcoholics disappeared to after Brady’s closed? Look no further! With ne’er a frill in sight, this is a heads down, no nonsense, mindless drinking boozer for those with unquenchable thirsts.

This fine old bar bit the dust in 2006 and has since been demolished and replaced by private housing. See photo feature.

**** RITZY CRUSH BAR

1 Brixton Oval, SW2
This downstairs bar serves up a reasonable selection of beers for cinema goers, but the split level upstairs bar is the place to go with good beer, food and coffee. There’s often a DJ playing chilled tunes with the occasional late club night. Best of all, you can play table football there!

The table football has long been hoofed out, but the venue thrives, with the now renamed Upstairs At The Ritzy putting on regular live shows.

*** SUBSTATION SOUTH

9 Brighton Terrace
Gay/mixed bar with friendly crowd and DJs playing soulful deep house and garage.

This wild Brixton institution closed in the early-mid 2000s

**** SW9 Bar

Dorrel Pl, opp Brixton tube
Once a firm favourite with the urban75 drinking crew, it’s lost some of its appeal after the recent swanky refurbishment, change of staff and reduced opening hours. It’s still a good place for a chilled out drink though. (Open 11pm weeks, midnight weekends)

Still open and pretty much unchanged over the years

**** THE TELEGRAPH

telegraph-2003

[Telegraph, early 2003]

telegraph-2001

228, Brixton Hill, SW2 [Pic: urban75 party at the Telegraph, 2001]
Situated miles up Brixton Hill, this pub looks like it was last decorated back in 1970 and although the main bar is absolutely ghastly, you can get some good nights in the surprisingly club-like back room.

Closed for good around 2010 after noise battles with neighbours. Now a Christian centre.

****TONGUE AND GROOVE

TOUNGE AND GROOVE

Atlantic Rd, SW9 [Pic: view from the sofa, 2002]
Very stylish, friendly, laid back cocktail bar with an unusual ‘soft porn’ theme. Stretching all the way to the back of the bar is comfy, soft leather seating with a big leather bed by the door: great fun to slump all over after a few beers! It’s only going to be ‘open house’ for a short while before it moves to a membership only club, so get there quick! Bloody expensive beers though.

The bar is no longer with us, being replaced by a pawn shop which has since closed.

*** TRINITY

45 Trinity Sq, SW9
Nice friendly pub in a very pleasant square with a new beer garden. Can get a bit ‘rugby shirt’ at times, though.

Still open and still serving ale – and now with its own secret garden.

**** WHITE HORSE

94 Brixton Hill, SW2
Great bar with DJs throughout the week playing a wide mix from d’n’b, techno, house and jazz with the occasional late licence. Also sports screen and tapas. The bar is due for a much-delayed rename/refit at the end of Sept 2001.

Now a popular late night club/bar.

***** WINDMILL

Windmill 2001

22, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton Hill, SW2 5BZ [Pic: Vic Lambrusco at the Windmill, 2001]
Serving reasonably priced pints, this no-nonsense pub has a very lively atmosphere. One of the last of the true Brixton watering holes, it hosts a variety of sounds on different nights, with the DJ policy being, ‘come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough’. Nights are advertised with alarming restraint on Brixton Hill. Recommended!

Happily still with us and still an essential part of Brixton’s live music scene.

*** Z BAR

30 Acre Lane, SW2
Small and friendly bar on Acre Lane serving up cocktails, music and food with a soul/r’n’b vibe. Open till midnight, 7 days a week.

Turned into the Fiesta bar and then the Veranda Bar which was closed in 2014 after a shooting on the premises. The Barrio bar chain will shortly be opening up in the premises

More:

View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Comprehensive lost pubs of Brixton listing and features

See urban75 Brixton pub/club listings from 2007

Join in with the discussion! Add your memories and comments below or join the thread on urban75.

Brixton’s Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats

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Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

Normally this popular Brixton pub would be busy with Christmas parties and locals getting in the mood for the festive season, but here’s the sad sight of the Canterbury Arms as it stands today.

Boarded up and ready to be demolished to make way for yet more more private luxury flats, the pub serves as a reminder of just how much Brixton is losing to gentrification as developers continue to snap up valuable community assets.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

A pub has stood on this site since Victorian times, and it has served as an essential community resource ever since.

The month before its closure in September 2015, long-standing pub landlord Brian Fitzgerald signed off with a heart-wrenching open letter to his customers:

It is with extreme sadness that I announce the demise of ‘The Canterbury Arms’ Brixton.

The bar will cease trading on the 5th September 2015, this closure reflects the insatiable appetite of property developers for backstreet corner sites that will be developed into flats for tenants who live in far off lands, and these developers call it progress which maybe so…

But where do local people who want to be part of a community and their friends and relatives go to socialise. Over the years the Canterbury has celebrated weddings, christenings, birthdays, funerals and anniversaries from all cultures.

There have been many club and music nights over the years, too many to mention, which have reflected the diverse communities which makes up the melting pot that Brixton personifies.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

The pub has played a key part in the social history of Brixton, providing a friendly space where locals can get together and chat, drink and dance, and its loss has already been felt by many.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

The pub’s ground floor doors and windows have all been boarded up, prior to the demolition team starting work.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

The entrance to the main bar. They won’t be showing sport here any more.

The bar had a wonderful Victorian interior that had barely been altered over the decades (see below).

This pub has 24 hours to live - the end of Brixton's Canterbury Arms in photos, September, 2015

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

The entrance to the pub’s function room.

The venue had a strong connection with music and dancing over the years. In the 80s it was a popular gig on the live music circuit, hosting punk bands like Snuff and the UK Subs, as well as experimental grindcore nights.

More recently it has seen regular club nights such as the long-running How Does It Feel To Be Loved and Time Tunnel, and before that, the Mule Club, PROD and the legendary Hat Parties.

Interestingly, it also played host to an evening put on by the long forgotten Brixton Socialist Club in 1978.

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

[Last party at the Canterbury Arms, Aug 2015]

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

The pub may have been stripped out and boarded up, but a few banners remain on the outside like this one for the 2015 RBS Six Nations. The Canterbury was one of the last sports pubs in Brixton, and had a strong focus on Irish games.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms: boarded up and soon to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury flats, December 2015

Metal door protects the former entrance to the function room.

Chat about the Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

Details:
The Canterbury Arms [map]
8 Canterbury Crescent, SW9,
Tel: 020 7274 1711
Nearest tube: Brixton

Read our review of the pub here.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

Brixton Ten Years Ago – Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

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Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Here’s another set of archive Brixton photos, all taken ten years ago in December 2005.

Above is a scene from Granville Arcade/Brixton Village. Despite some attempts to rewrite its recent history, the place was never near-derelict or almost empty. There’s always been activity around these markets.

However, it had been intentionally run down by get-rich-quick developers trying to push through an awful redevelopment that was firmly rejected by the community (ooh, if only that were possible now).

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The sad sight of two pubs simultaneously disappearing in Loughborough Junction. To the left is the old Green Man pub (now the Green Man Skills Centre), while to the right is the Junction/Warrior, now a Tesco and private flats.

Read the full depressing story here: The lost pubs of Coldharbour Lane, Brixton and Loughborough Junction.

Also: From The Warrior to Foxtons and a supermarket: a depressing Brixton vision.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The majestic Loughborough Hotel was once an important part of the local music scene.  It’s now luxury flats.

Read more: Lost pubs and venues of Brixton: The Loughborough Hotel.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

As we reported in 2013:

The pub occupied the ground floor with a large ballroom upstairs..

The space was used by the Exploding Cinema in the mid-1990s, it was the venue for the indie bands Woodentops first ever gig in 1983 and also hosted a ‘Johnny Kidd Memorial Show‘ with Screaming Lord Sutch and Wee Willie Harris on vocals in October 9th, 1976.   ‘Dance Salsa’ nights were also hosted there until the early 2000s.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Another lost pub, another supermarket.  The Russell Hotel was built in 1906 on the corner of Brixton Road and Caldwell Street, Brixton North, and closed in December, 2003.  It’s now a Tesco.

Read more in our Lost Pubs Guide.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The stark, brutalist lines of 336, Brixton Road.

Built as a warehouse for Chadesley Investment Ltd (now part of Greycoat plc.), the building ended up being used as a computer centre for the upmarket private bank, Coutts & Co in 1971.

Read more: Brixton and the unexpected Coutts Bank connection

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Despite closing some time around 2001, the Plough in Stockwell Road is still empty, although flats have been built against the north side of the building.

The pub was once a major player on the London live jazz circuit, but after a disastrous attempt to remodel itself as a DJ bar called The Plug in the mid 90s, there’s been no sign of life from the building for well over a decade.

Read more: The lost jazz pub of Stockwell: The Plough/Plug, Stockwell Road, SW9.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Perhaps one of the most tragic pub losses was Bradys/The Railway in Atlantic Road. Despite a huge effort to reopen the venue as a community resource, Lambeth shamefully went for the quick buck and flogged it off to offshore property developers.

It’s now been absorbed by the Wahaca restaurant chain.

Read about the History of Railway Hotel/Brady’s or discuss Brady’s on our bulletin boards or check out our Lost bars of Brixton feature.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Loughborough Junction arches.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

‘Quinney’s Fantasy Island.’

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Originally known as The Crown and renamed as the ‘Mucky Duck’ in the 1990s, this Coldharbour Lane pub closed around 2002, and was briefly squatted for some time shortly after.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Anti-war and anti-police slogans were painted on the windows. The former pub is now a Co-Op supermarket.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

A misty look along Wyck Gardens.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

To commemorate the end of Routemaster buses running through Brixton, several vintage vehicles were on the streets. Some were to return ten years later.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

A Routemaster bus climbs up Brixton Hill. In the late 19th century, cable propelled trams used to be seen on this route.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Locals came out to bid goodbye to the much-loved Routemaster buses.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The Viaduct development on Coldharbour Lane took an age to be built.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Once the site of a smart cinema theatre and then the Camping Centre, 101 & 103 Brixton Hill has since been occupied by a succession of swiftly disappearing businesses.

Read more here:
Cinema history photo feature
Read the history of the cinema and see archive posters here
Lost theatres and cinemas of Brixton

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Buggies galore at the Ritzy.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The SEM cafe in Loughborough Junction is happily still with us. Read a review here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Barrington Road view.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Lambeth’s town hall as it looked in 2005. It’s currently being redeveloped as part of a controversial scheme.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Steel drums in Windrush Square.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Atlantic Road view.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Station Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The much loved original premises of the Phoenix Cafe on Coldharbour Lane. The cafe moved to shiny new premises along the road in 2014.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The former premises of Brixton Cycles in Coldharbour Lane were turned into a popular arts squat in October 2004. See feature here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Most of these predictions turned out to be very accurate indeed.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Inside the art gallery in the squat.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Haircut, sir?

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Atlantic Road scene.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

The Duke of Wellington,  Acre Lane awaits its fate. It was demolished in 2011. See feature here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Former Pie & Mash shop, Coldharbour Lane.

More: Brixton’s Lost Eel And Pie House, Coldharbour Lane SW9

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

Brixton tube station.

Brixton Ten Years Ago - Lost pubs, Routemaster farewell, Phoenix Cafe and squatted Brixton Cycles building, December 2005

A look at Clapham Common on a chilly December dusk.

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the Phoenix cafe, Jan 2006

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Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Here’s another selection of archive photos of Brixton, this time from a decade ago in January 2006: a month that ended with the Arctic Monkey’s, “When The Sun Goes Down” topping the singles chart.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Now the Electric Brixton, the Fridge was founded by Andrew Czezowski and Susan Carrington in 1981, and was originally located in a small club at 390 Brixton Lane, before moving to premises above Iceland in Brixton Road in 1982.

With growing crowds, the club moved to the former Palladium Picture House – a converted 1913 cinema on the Town Hall Parade in 1985. Note the fridge doors adorning the venue’s façade. The sign advertises, “TOTAL MAYHEM” on Friday and “COLOURS” the next night.

The club closed in March 2010 and reopened as the Electric Brixton in September 2011.

In 2015, some of the original signage from the Fridge went up for sale on eBay.

Read more about the history of the Electric/Fridge:
Fridge history in photos
Palladium Cinema/Fridge (1915)
Palladium Cinema/Fridge (1945)
Brixton Ace flyer (1983)

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

The large Viaduct development on Coldharbour Lane under construction. Owned by multi-millionaire, uber-capitalist developers Lexadon, there’s ne’er a whiff of social housing to be found here, obviously.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

The old and much missed original Phoenix cafe on Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Two quality meals at the Phoenix, but nothing will match the tasty might of their toasted halloumi salad sandwiches. They were bloomin’ lush.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Once the site of a smart cinema theatre and then the Camping Centre, 101 & 103 Brixton Hill has since been occupied by a succession of swiftly disappearing businesses.

Read more here:
Cinema history photo feature
Read the history of the cinema and see archive posters here
Lost theatres and cinemas of Brixton

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Old sign revealed on Town Hall Parade.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Looking over Windrush Square, with the Tate Library dominating the scene.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

The much missed Brixton Woolworths bit the dust in January 2009, and is now part of the H&M chain with a Premier Hotel currently being built on top.

Happily the adjacent – and lovely – Reliance Arcade is still with us.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

One of Brixton’s long-lost pubs, the Black Horse on Brixton Road.

Very little archive material seems to be available for this pub – please get in touch if you have any related photos or documents.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

The old pub is now a branch of the Halifax Building Society.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Very few places are missed as much by old school Brixtonians than Bradys/Railway on Atlantic Road.

Despite a long and sustained effort by the community to reopen the venue, it’s now been swallowed up by Mexican-themed restaurant chain, Wahaca.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Night view, Brixton Station Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Valentia Place.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Wobbly memorial at St Matthews church, Brixton.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

‘Be Alert’ warned this scrolling LED sign on Brixton Hill. ‘This is a burglary hotspot area.’

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Police board on Brixton Hill asks for witnesses after shots were fired at the Mass nightclub, which was located at the top of St Matthews church.

See feature: Shooting boards of Brixton.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Knackered sign. Although the Mass nightclub is long gone, and the Bug Bar is now Gremio, the White Horse pub (not ‘whitehorse’) is still in business on Brixton Hill.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Windrush Square scene.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Police warning on Brixton Road about da yoot on bicycles grabbing mobile phones from inattentive pedestrians.

It’s something that’s still going on today.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Heavy manners on Atlantic Road.Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Roof detail, Brady’s.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

26 Brixton Station Road, which once housed the Pleasure Land cinema (capacity: 150) in Edwardian times.

Read more:  Lost Brixton: Lost cinemas of Brixton.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

A wet afternoon on a deserted Station Road

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Busy scene on Pope’s Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Railway arches off Valentia Place. Still home to long standing community of artists – and host to some bloody amazing parties back in the day – the entire area faces massive gentrification.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

222, Atlantic Road, once the home to ‘Stones Television and Radio’. See photo feature here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

Morris Minor pootles past Electric Avenue.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: police signs, Fridge club, market scenes and the old Phoenix, January 2006

The former premises of black newspaper, The Voice, this building right next to the Cooltan Arts squat on Coldharbour Lane was briefly squatted and turned into a venue for weekend raves.

After remaining derelict for the best part of eight years, the building was finally demolished in summer 2007, along with Cooltan next door. The site is now occupied by the Milles Square/Brixton Square private housing development.

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton

Demolition begins on Brixton’s Canterbury Arms pub to make way for yet more private flats

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Demolition begins on Brixton's Canterbury Arms to make way for more luxury flats, January, 2016

Above is the sad sight of demolition work taking place on the former Canterbury Arms pub in Brixton, which will shortly be flattened and replaced by a private, nine-story residential development with zero social housing.

The pub had stood here for over 120 years, with last orders being called by the Fitzgerald family, who had run the business for over 20 years.

Demolition begins on Brixton's Canterbury Arms to make way for more luxury flats, January, 2016

With the roof pulled down, you can see the exposed timbers of the pub’s function room.

For decades, generations of Brixtonites from all cultures had used the space for weddings, wakes, christenings, funerals, anniversaries, club nights, live entertainment and parties.

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

[Last party at the Canterbury Arms, August 2015]

It was once a popular gig on the live music circuit, and had hosted punk shows featuring bands like Snuff and the UK Subs, and more recently been the venue for regular club nights such as How Does It Feel To Be Loved and Time Tunnel, and before that, the Mule Club, PROD and the legendary Hat Parties.

Demolition begins on Brixton's Canterbury Arms to make way for more luxury flats, January, 2016

Scaffolding is now covering the building ahead of demolition work. The former function room is nearest the camera.

The last ever How Does It Feel club night at the Canterbury Arms, Brixton, 7th August 2015

[Audience applauds the last song played at the final How Does It Feel club night, August 2015]

This pub has 24 hours to live - the end of Brixton's Canterbury Arms in photos, September, 2015

Lost forever: the wonderful Victorian interior of the Canterbury Arms main bar as seen in the pub’s final days.

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Original wooden fittings and etched glass in the main bar.

Demolition begins on Brixton's Canterbury Arms to make way for more luxury flats, January, 2016

Old and new: the sight of the Pop Brixton “business park for the 21st Century” next to the doomed Canterbury Arms.

Illustrations of the nine-storey block that will replace the Canterbury Arms pub in Brixton released

Above: Nine story residential building which will replace the Canterbury Arms on the corner of Canterbury Crescent and Pope’s Road in Brixton. See more illustrations here.

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[Interior detail, Canterbury Arms]

The Canterbury now joins a growing list of lost pubs and bars in the area: Kaff on Atlantic Road closed in July 2015, while areas like Loughborough Junction have seen almost all of their pubs wiped out.

Other recent closures include Mango Landin, The Telegraph, George IV, The Grosvenor,  The Queen, Hamilton Arms and The Angel – and there’s many others currently facing an uncertain future.

Chat about the former Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

Details:
The Canterbury Arms [map]
8 Canterbury Crescent, SW9,
Tel: 020 7274 1711
Nearest tube: Brixton

Read our final review of the pub here.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton’s Canterbury Arms nears the end – photos

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Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

The last vestiges of Brixton’s much-loved pub, gig and club venue, The Canterbury Arms, are fast disappearing as demolition work continues on this once-splendid Victorian pub.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

Despite a petition to save the Canterbury Arms attracting 1,350 signatures, Lambeth Council decided the community’s interests would best be served by demolishing this fine community asset and replacing it with yet another private residential block with the social housing provision set at zero.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

After the council rubber stamped the deal in May 2014, the pub hosted its final party in August 2015.

The beautiful original Victorian interior has now been lost to the people of Brixton forever, along with a fine example of solid Victorian architecture. The best thing that can be said about the new building that replaces it is that it is inoffensive.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

The roof has been completely removed.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

Front of the pub.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Old and nu Brixton, side by side. The Canterbury Arms vanishes as Pop Brixton, the council’s pet ‘extra-vibrant’ project, thrives.

Of course, the pub could have been saved if there’d be enough political will in Lambeth’s “co-operative” Council, but instead we’re losing an historic pub and gaining expensive private apartments that no normal Brixton resident could ever hope to afford.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Viewed from the Pop Brixton car park, you can see what’s left of the function room. The bar was through the opening, while the dancefloor has a huge skip on it. .

For decades, generations of Brixtonites from all cultures had used the space for weddings, wakes, christenings, funerals, anniversaries, club nights, live entertainment and parties.

In the daytimes, others had used it for rehearsal spaces, kids parties, record fairs etc – but given the sky-high rental prices of new places like Pop Brixton – and the closure of similar community spaces – there’s barely anywhere left for these people to go now.

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, , January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

Walls come tumbling down: Brixton's Canterbury Arms nears the end - photos, January 2016

Chat about the former Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

Details:
The Canterbury Arms [map]
8 Canterbury Crescent, SW9,
Tel: 020 7274 1711
Nearest tube: Brixton

Read our final review of the pub here.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and changing times, February 2006

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Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Here’s a look back to Brixton’s past, as seen through our photo archives from February 2006 – ten years ago.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Market Row has always been a busy shopping area for locals – here’s how it looked before gentrification took a firm grip.

Although some of the old shops survive – including Ralph’s Gift Box and Express cafe – the recent influx of well-heeled Shoreditch food chains, multi-national frozen yogurt chains, charcuteries and antique shops suggest that some of the current traditional traders may struggle to keep their place.

Pizza restaurant Franco Manca – still trading by the Electric Lane entrance – has since expanded to ten locations around London with owner Giuseppe Mascoli doing very nicely for himself, with his business being bought up for £27.5m in March 2015.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Electric Avenue – the real beating heart of Brixton.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Brixton tube station. With more commuters now living in Brixton and an immense increase in tourist-luring restaurants, shops and bars, passenger traffic has soared over ten years.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

The much missed A&C deli on Atlantic Road.

Read the full story of the store’s demise here: Brixton’s A&C Deli: the inside story of a small business destroyed by gentrification, Network Rail & Lambeth Council

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Pope’s Road market scene.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Seen by some as the driving force behind Brixton’s recent changes, Brixton Village (Granville Arcade) has been transformed in recent years.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Formerly The Atlantic, The Dogstar was one of the UK’s first DJ bars and is still hugely popular. Read the history of the pub here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Once a huge part of the Brixton music scene, Brady’s (Railway Hotel) lay empty for over ten years, despite several attempts by locals to reopen it as a community asset.

In 2013, Lambeth flogged it to offshore property developers and it now hosts a branch of the Wahaca restaurant chain.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

The homely interior of the Phoenix cafe on Coldharbour Lane. Once the best cafe in Brixton, it lost much of its down to earth appeal after moving several doors down the road to shinier, glitzier premises.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Waiting for the rain. Station Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Saturday night in the Prince Albert, Coldharbour Lane. The place is immeasurably busier on weekends now.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

The Viaduct private housing development under construction.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Man down!

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

The less than glamorous sight of the car park on Station Road/Pope’s Road.

Demolished in 2011, the site was briefly used as an ice rink until 2014, with Lambeth Council and the Market Traders’ Federation inviting locals to submit bids for the use of the land.

Two bids were short-listed for the Meanwhile competition, with Grow:Brixton – a partnership between Carl Turner Architects and The Edible Bus Stop  – given the go ahead for a project that led heavily on gardening, food growth and community involvement, a speciality of the Edible Bus Stop.

A few months later the Edible Bus Stop pulled out over a “difference in the style of management,” with the project – now renamed Pop Brixton – taking a very different direction.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Coldharbour Lane view with the old Texaco garage in the foreground.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

‘Street Robbers Operating In This Area’ warning sign on Brixton Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Chairs for sale, Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: busy market scenes and lost businesses, February 2006

Market trader, Pope’s Road.

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton


Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton’s Canterbury Arms

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Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

This is a sad sight and one that angers us here at Brixton Buzz.

The function room of the Canterbury Arms has now been demolished as work continues to completely destroy this Victorian public house and replace it with luxury flats.

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

For over a century, locals have gathered here for gigs, club nights, family occasions, dances, celebrations, weddings and birthdays, but all that community history ended after Lambeth Council approved plans to flatten the pub and replace it with a nine story private residential block.

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

The pub’s main bar retained all of its beautiful Victorian fittings – no doubt some well heeled entrepreneur is currently on a right little earner flogging them off to upmarket buyers.

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

The dancefloor.

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

Here’s how the pub looked at its last party in August 2015.

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

Rubble on the dancefloor. How many memories were made here?

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

To absolutely no one’s surprise, the developers have now quietly announced that they intend to squeeze in even more private flats, upping the total to 37 apartments – with no social housing, obviously.

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms, February 2016

Chat about the former Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

Details:
The Canterbury Arms [map]
8 Canterbury Crescent, SW9,
Tel: 020 7274 1711
Nearest tube: Brixton

Read our final review of the pub here.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

Brixton’s Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come – in photos

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Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Here’s the last remains of the 140-year old Canterbury Arms pub in Brixton as it’s being flattened in advance of a block of luxury flats being built on the site.

How we’ve reached a situation where long-standing community assets are crushed into dust for the sake of unaffordable flats for the few defies logic, but we sincerely hope that at some point in the future, the people responsible will be called to account.

It would be quite a crowd too, including the cash-in developers, planners, entrepreneurs, the council and councillors and all the rest of the self interested feckers who have now deprived Brixton of an important social hub. 

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

This first set of photos was taken on Sunday, 14th Feb, and it shows parts of the shell of the ground floor still standing. The wooden front doors and panelling of the main bar can still be seen.

Two days later the entire front of the pub would be reduced to rubble – as documented in photos at the bottom of this piece.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

The pub remains as seen from the Pop Brixton car park.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Pope’s Road view.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Former function room entrance.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Front entrance.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Tues 16th February: nearly gone

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Two days later and the entire front of the pub has been pulled down, with just a part of the side wall facing Pope’s Road still standing.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

Nothing remains of the entrance to the main bar.

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

[Canterbury Arms, June 2014]

Brixton's Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come, Tuesday 16th February 2016

[Current view]

Chat about the Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

Details:
The Canterbury Arms [map]
8 Canterbury Crescent, SW9,
Tel: 020 7274 1711
Nearest tube: Brixton

Read our review of the pub here.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the last hours of The Queen pub, Loughborough Junction and street scenes, March 2006

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Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Here’s another selection of photos from our Brixton archives, this time showing scenes around Brixton and the last hours of The Queen public house that once stood in Bellefields Road, off Ferndale Road, SW9.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

The much delayed Viaduct private housing block takes shape on Coldharbour Lane. The block’s construction was taken over by the all-conquering Lexadon Property Group, owned by husband and wife team Jerry and Jenny Knight.

The couple made made their vast fortune converting ex-council homes  in Clapham and Brixton. Jerry Knight’s wealth was recently estimated at £50m [].

The development looks completely out of scale compared to the buildings around it, and overshadows the historic Angel public house. All that history was lost when the Victorian pub closed in 2010 and was later subsumed into Lexadon’s growing property portfolio.

The ground floor now hosts an upmarket pizza business, with the rest of the building – and its mews – turned into flats with no affordable provision.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Unit for rent, Brixton Village.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Soapy forecourt at the Texaco garage, Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Loughborough hall, built in 1913 and now in the hands of the Loughborough Evangelical Church.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

The former Wickwood Tavern on Flaxman Road. Read about its bohemian past here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Formerly known as The Enterprise and the Coast Bar before being turned into a Vietnamese restaurant, 171 Coldharbour Lane has thankfully returned as a pub, and now hosts the rather excellent jazz-themed Junction bar.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Loughborough Junction view.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Grove Press at 9 Flaxman Road, SE5 9DL. The business appears to be longer here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Gordon Grove arches.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Quite possibly Brixton’s thinnest building, on Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Loughborough Junction view.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Loughborough Junction has lost a lot of its pubs. Here’s the former Warrior/Junction being converted into private flats and a Tesco.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

A real loss to Brixton was The Queen on Bellefields Road, which was flattened in March 2006. See photo feature here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

This scene is still being repeated in Brixton today – Brixton’s Canterbury Arms reduced to rubble, luxury private flats to come – in photos

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell end. To the left used to stand the imposing Metropole Theatre, which opened on Monday the 29th of October, 1894 and was demolished nearly a century later in 1993.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Parking space on Coldharbour Lane. This has now been redeveloped.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

Artwork, Brixton Village (Granville Arcade). Painted shop shutters are almost always a portent of impending gentrification.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

In 2006, our Offline Club was putting on monthly gigs at JAMM in Brixton Road. Here’s Molly in action.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006
Mark Mace Smith onstage.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

The local legend Vic Lambrusco spins some verse.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: the end of the Queen pub and street scenes, March 2006

No answer to this, really.

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton

Brixton Canterbury Arms: the end. Community asset to posh flats for the few – Brixton 2016

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Brixton Canterbury Arms: the end. Posh flats for community assets - Brixton 2016

So here’s what’s left of the Canterbury Arms, Brixton. Nothing.

After serving the community for over 140 years, the site has now been flattened ready to make way for yet another set of luxury flats for the few.

Brixton Canterbury Arms: the end. Posh flats for community assets - Brixton 2016

Long term Brixtonites will recall drinking in the bar, seeing live bands in the backroom or attending the many regular club nights, which saw locals dancing to anything from soul to punk to ska to traditional Irish tunes.

Others may have been to the pub for family events, wakes, birthdays, record fairs, rehearsals or any one of the many uses that such a community space lends itself to.

canterbury-arms-brixton

2013 view of the solid Victorian architecture.

Brixton Canterbury Arms: the end. Posh flats for community assets - Brixton 2016

Late Victorian view.

Illustrations of the nine-storey block that will replace the Canterbury Arms pub in Brixton released

Here’s an illustration of the bland private housing block that will soon stand on the site of the pub.

This pub has 24 hours to live - the end of Brixton's Canterbury Arms in photos, September, 2015

Many original fittings remained in the pub.

Brixton Canterbury Arms: the end. Posh flats for community assets - Brixton 2016

Not a trace remains now remains.

Brixton Canterbury Arms: the end. Posh flats for community assets - Brixton 2016

Some memories of what has been lost:

The last St Patrick's dance at the Canterbury Arms, Brixton, London, Tuesday 17th March 2015

The last St Patrick’s dance, March 2015.

The last ever How Does It Feel club night at the Canterbury Arms, Brixton, 7th August 2015

The last ever How Does It Feel club night at the Canterbury Arms, Brixton, 7th August 2015

Audience applauds the last song played at the final How Does It Feel club night, August 2015.

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

Last party at the Canterbury Arms, Aug 2015.

The Canterbury now joins a growing list of lost pubs and bars in the area: Kaff on Atlantic Road closed in July 2015, while areas like Loughborough Junction have seen almost all of their pubs wiped out.

Other recent closures include Mango Landin, The Telegraph, George IV, The Grosvenor,  The Queen, Hamilton Arms and The Angel – and there’s many others currently facing an uncertain future.

Chat about the former Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.
Read our final review of the pub here.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

Wandsworth Council protects pubs from redevelopment: so why hasn’t Lambeth done the same?

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Wandsworth Council protects pubs from redevelopment: so why can't Lambeth?

While much loved community pubs and venues continue to be closed down all around Lambeth, Wandsworth council has taken the bold step of protecting such important community assets by removing permitted development rights from 120 of the borough’s taverns.

Rubble on the dancefloor: demolition continues on Brixton's Canterbury Arms

[The much-loved Canterbury Arms was demolished this year and currently sits under Pop Brixton]

Wandsworth is the first local authority in the country to publish ‘Article 4 Directions,’ which ensures that local venues can no longer be converted into mini-supermarkets, estate agents, homes or shops without the need for planning permission.

A huge number of inns and taverns around the country – some of them viable and thriving businesses – have been converted into other uses with councils finding themselves powerless to prevent the conversions, as owners have ‘permitted development rights’ allowing them to make the change without the need for planning permission.

Going: The Canterbury Arms. Gone: The Grosvenor. The sad fate of Brixton pubs

[Stockwell’s wonderful Grosvenor pub closed in late 2014 and still remains empty]

Following Wandsworth Council’s ground breaking move, owners of 120 pubs in the borough will now have to seek approval from the town hall before changing the building use or knocking it down.

In preparation for the Article 4 Directions, the council has already approved new planning guidance which specifically recognises the historic, architectural and community value of Wandsworth’s pubs.

Mango Landin' Brixton - from community bar to luxury flats

[Mango Landin makes way for luxury flats]

Deputy council leader Jonathan Cook said:

Wandsworth’s pubs are now the best protected in the entire country and have a genuine defence against the relentless spread of mini-supermarkets and estate agents. We know how much our residents love their locals and in many cases they really are the epicenter of community life. I’m proud and delighted we’ve found a way to protect them.

I very much hope that other councils will follow our lead by adopting pub-friendly planning policies and then stripping away permitted development rights from their local inns, bars and taverns. This could be a real turning point for our nation’s superb but vulnerable pub trade and Wandsworth is more than ready to share its approach with other authorities.

End of an era - the Tesco sign goes up on the George IV pub on Brixton Hill

[George IV on Brixton Hill is now a Tesco]

Geoff Strawbridge, Greater London CAMRA Regional Director, said:

I would like to see every planning authority in the country follow Wandsworth’s exemplary initiative in protecting its pubs and bars by removing permitted development rights.

 

[Loughborough Hotel, now private flats]

The Article 4 Directions were published on 12 August 2016 and should come into force in August 2017, which begs the question: why isn’t Lambeth doing the same? 

If a Tory council can come up with this wonderful, community-minded scheme, why the hell is Lambeth’s ‘co-operative’ council sitting idly by and continuing to rubber stamp the closure of iconic pubs and venues that will be missed by the community forever?

Discuss this here.

More:

Lost pubs of Brixton – feature
Save Your Local pub – info, links and guides to protect your local pub
Brixton’s legendary Club 414 threatened with closure and redevelopment

One year ago: Brixton’s Canterbury Arms throws its last ever party

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One year ago: Brixton's Canterbury Arms throws its last ever party

Exactly one year ago, Brixton lost one of its last true community pubs, with the Canterbury Arms throwing an emotional farewell party.

This pub has 24 hours to live - the end of Brixton's Canterbury Arms in photos, September, 2015

The Victorian pub – and its beautiful, original wood panelled interior – would soon be smashed into smithereens, and a part of Brixton life lost forever.

The last party at Brixton's Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset, Saturday 29th August 2015

Originally, we were told that the pub had to make way for a bland, nine story luxury block of flats, but somewhere along the line, Pop Brixton was allowed to temporarily expand their business over the ruins of the Canterbury.

The irony of a trendy sports bar with a supposed ‘community’ ethos sitting on top of an actual community sports bar was not lost on some Brixton residents.

The last ever How Does It Feel club night at the Canterbury Arms, Brixton, 7th August 2015

And so we at Brixton Buzz raise our glasses to the Canterbury Arms, yet another victim of Brixton’s rampant gentrification, where short term gain always trumps long term community interests.

This pub has 24 hours to live - the end of Brixton's Canterbury Arms in photos, September, 2015

Perhaps if the pub had been in neighbouring Wandsworth it could have stood a chance, but with Lambeth Council seemingly always ready and willing to do the developers’ bidding, the Canterbury Arms has joined an ever increasing list of community assets lost to Brixton forever.

RIP The Canterbury Arms. You’re still very much missed.

Chat about the Canterbury Arms on the Brixton forum.

More:
View lost pub photo features on Brixton Buzz
Lost pubs of Brixton listing and features.

The last party at Brixton’s Canterbury Arms as gentrification claims another much-loved community asset
This pub has 24 hours to live – the end of Brixton’s Canterbury Arms
The last ever How Does It Feel To Be Loved club night at the Canterbury Arms, Brixton – photos

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

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Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

We’ve had another shufti around our Brixton photo archives and pulled out this collection of shots from fifteen years, showing a selection of scenes from around town including this  raver from the now-closed Telegraph pub.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Burnt out scooter, Loughborough Park.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Before Lambeth Council killed it dead, the annual Brockwell Park firework display were a real community highlight.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Brixton Village, formerly Granville Arcade, which stands on the site of the Lambeth Carlton Club.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Coldharbour Lane’s Gresham Cafe is long gone and My Fathers Place has been gentrified into the upmarket Shrub & Shutter cocktail bar.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Another sad loss is George’s barbers. His premises are now occupied by the considerably more expensive Tidy Hair.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

These premises on Coldharbour Lane seemed to change owners every six months or so. One of the longer running businesses was the Juice Bar. It was good too.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

A look inside.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Par Voi Res (aka Part Worn Tyres). The slowly deconstructing sign of this tyre shop was documented here.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Urban75 party in the long-gone Telegraph pub on Brixton Hill.

Despite music events being put on on the pub for 125 years, newly arrived residents (and Lambeth councillors) conspired to close down the venue in 2009. It’s now used as a Christian centre and flats. God 1 Clubbers 0.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Dancing at the Telegraph.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

The former Voice newspaper building in Coldharbour Lane was briefly squatted before being secured by bailiffs.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Now buried under the Brixton Square private gated apartment block, Cooltan was once the beating heart of Brixton’s arts and activist scene, with the buildings providing accommodation for campaign groups such as Reclaim The Streets, Freedom Network, Earth First!, the Green Party, Lambeth Green Party and London Friends and Families of Travellers.

The squatted former unemployment office also housed rehearsal rooms, cinema screenings, yoga classes, galleries, studios and a cafe. The venue put on some incredible all night benefit parties – some attracted up to 1,500 people – where you might find a hardcore rave in one room, pastoral folk and jazz in another and bizarre performance art in another. It was a wonderfully eclectic and inclusive place.

Read: History of Cooltan Arts.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Full on fluoro rave coming up at the Fridge (now the Electric Brixton) with Escape from Samsara and Pendragon lined up.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Quiet scene at the Prince of Wales, Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Looking west along Coldharbour Lane. The former Angel pub to the right (on the corner) is now an upmarket pizza joint.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Works on Brixton tube station went on for an eternity.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

A car speeds along Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Formerly the Helter Skelter restaurant on Atlantic Road, these premises hosted the late bar Tongue & Groove for several years. Our 2001 Brixton Bar and Club Guide offered this review:

Very stylish, friendly, laid back cocktail bar with an unusual ‘soft porn’ theme. Stretching all the way to the back of the bar is comfy, soft leather seating with a big leather bed by the door: great fun to slump all over after a few beers! It’s only going to be ‘open house’ for a short while before it moves to a membership only club, so get there quick! Bloody expensive beers though.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Diners at one of the regular urban75 Curry Club events, at the wonderful Khans on Brixton Station Road.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Barrington Road view.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Market stalls on the move, Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Fireworks, The Telegraph, burnt out scooter and bar scenes, November 2001

Loughborough Park.

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton
Fourteen years of drinking: a Brixton bar and club guide from 2001


Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Reliance Arcade, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

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Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

We’ve had another dip into our extensive Brixton photo archives, and pulled out this selection of scenes taken around town in January 2007 – ten years ago.

Above is a scene from Granville Arcade (Brixton Village). The wig shop is thankfully still with us.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Run down shop in Atlantic Road. Two years later, the broken sign at 222 (right) would be taken down to reveal the remains of the neon sign of its former occupants, Stones Television & Radio. See photo feature here.
Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Cooltan Arts – once a huge part of the Brixton arts and music scene – was still quietly rotting away in this Jan 2007 view.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Local legend and long term squatter Des Madden made a video inside Cooltan at the end of 2016.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Station Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Old and new signage at the Fridge Bar.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

New housing on Brixton Hill facing Rush Common.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Opening in March 1911 as the Brixton Hill Cinematograph Theatre, these premises have since changed hands multiple times, and been used as a camping centre, church, restaurant and more. Read more here: Lost Brixton: Empress Scala Cinema/ New Royalty Kinema.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Delightfully untrendy, Reliance Arcade continues to serve the people of Brixton.

See the discussion on urban75: Reliance Arcade goes on the English Heritage At Risk list.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Formerly the Coach & Horses, this Coldharbour Lane pub has enjoyed a colourful recent history.

Looking to cash in on the popularity of the nearby Dogstar, it was relaunched as the groovy Isobar in the mid-1990s, then it turned into the Living Bar, before being closed down in 2007 and then reopening as a fishmonger and Vintage Shop in 2009.

Relaunching as The Market House in April 2011, it’s since proved a great success.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Valentia Place. Soon, an oversized nine-storey private housing development will soon dominate this view.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

The Viaduct (right) took an age to build.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Snow in Brixton. Looking east along Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Afro Kinky, Cooltan, Living Bar and some snow, January 2007

A real loss to Coldharbour Lane was the Post Office, which closed in May 2003 (see feature here).

A local shopkeeper recalls the tenacious Mrs Roy, who kept order in her shop, no matter what:

She was one tough little cookie. I have never seen a braver little lady than her.

She would give it to the junkies and nutters from behind her steel screen, and they would go ballistic and scream at her and smash on the screens and swear to kill her – and the next minute she was outside taking that little rat of a dog for a walk.

And she was as short as the bloody dog!

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton

 

 

Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

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Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Another dip into our Brixton archives has rewarded us with this selection of photos taken in and around Brixton ten years ago, in March 2007. Scroll down and see what you remember!

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The least hotel-like hotel in Brixton: the sign tells its own story.

The hotel at 411-417 Coldharbour Lane occupies part of the former temperance hall, which was in use as a Continental Foods supermarket in 1975.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Looking up Station Road. The Portman Building Society ground floor is now occupied by the popular San Marino coffee bar.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The sad sight of the closed Bradys pub. After a concerted  local effort to turn the old pub and hotel into a community resource, Lambeth decided to flog it off to an off-shore company who have since rented it out to the Wahaca restaurant chain.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

This strange “THEY WANT YOUR POD!” advertising campaign sprung up around Brixton.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

It was soon subverted 🙂

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Police Landrover with LED sign warning visitors that ‘Thieves operate in this area.’

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Atlantic Road, early evening.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Station Road.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Wild beasts in the arcade.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Whatever happened to Happy Crepes in Brixton?

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The old concrete bridge linking the Brixton Rec with the car park on Station Road. The site is now occupied by the foodie-luring Pop Brixton.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The markings on the floor were for the stall pitches that once ran all the way up Station Road to Valentia Place.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Discarded Christmas greeting.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Valentia Place. The site is currently being cleared for more luxury private housing.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Police shooting board on Moorland Estate.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

After trading from the same landmark premises on Coldharbour Lane for 119 years, the Walton Lodge Laundry closed in June 2014.

It’s now being redeveloped for more upmarket, social housing-free private flats.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The wonderfully named Majestical Lips.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Sam The Wheels on Railton Road. A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway to digitise the remarkable short films he made around Brixton.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The former Hamilton Arms pub on Railton Road, now a supermarket – see our photo feature here.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The former Grand/Pullman cinema opposite Herne Hill station.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Inside the Escape Bar, Herne Hill.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Herne Hill view. The hairdressers to the left went under the curious name of Shotgun Reloaded, sparking some discussion on the forums.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Railton Road shops, close to Brockwell Park.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brockwell Park in the Spring.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Intricate railway bridge by Brockwell Park.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Railway tracks, Herne Hill.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Teddy bear down! Abandoned car on Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Loughborough Junction.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

The former Green Man pub in Loughborough Junction.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Another lost pub in Loughborough Junction – the former Warrior/Junction, now a Tesco supermarket.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Originally known as The Crown and renamed as the ‘Mucky Duck’ in the 1990s, this former pub is now a Co-op supermarket.

See more: The lost pubs of Coldharbour Lane, Brixton and Loughborough Junction

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Dilapidated building, Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Woolworths was to go in January 2009.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

‘Leave it on show, expect it to go.’ Sheer poetry.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Station Road.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

A truly shonky photo taken on a Palm Treo of the Elm Park Tavern during one of the quiz nights. The Australian quizmaster with the really strong accent was always a source of wonderfully mis-pronounced British place names. The pub has now been extensively refurbished.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

More pod stuff.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

As reported in a 2007 photo feature, these plant pots with strange painted messages were located by Brixton Police Station:

Lined up outside Brixton Police station can be seen this strange selection of plant pots, all bearing bizarre, God-squad-tastic hand painted slogans.

They’re actually on police land, so presumably they don’t mind.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Don’t stand here, OK?

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Inside Brixton Village.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Only Bargains, Pope’s Road/Atlantic Road.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

A well graffiti’d Lambeth sign.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Budget Carpets – still here and fighting to stay in the arches.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Snow in March!

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Loughborough House: now redeveloped and stripped of all character and identity.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Botched up looking conversion in Loughborough Junction.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Inside the much-missed Phoenix Cafe on Coldharbour Lane. It’s now a trendy chicken joint.

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Brixton Brixton Ten Years Ago: They Want Your Pod, closed pubs, Herne Hill and street scenes, March 2007

Happily, Reliance Arcade is still with us.

Our Offline Club night in the Prince Albert. The club is still going strong!

There was a lunar eclipse, so drinkers came out to squint at the night sky.

Dancing in the Albert.

The mindbendingly good Hacksaw at our Jamm Offline show. Read a review here.

See more Brixton history in photos:
On this site
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives
Lost pubs of Brixton

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

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Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Another delve into our photo archives has unearthed this series of Brixton photos taken fifteen years ago, in April 2003.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

The old Part Worn Tyres shop on Coldharbour Lane, now buried under the Viaduct housing development.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

The former Temperance Hall. Read the full story here: The old Temperance Billiard Hall on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Tate Library.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton Road with the Virgin Megastore.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Pope’s Road market.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Busy scenes on Station Road.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Derelict building that now houses the Black Cultural Archives.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Close up detail.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Read more about the building here: Raleigh Hall, Brixton – scenes of dereliction from the 2000s

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Foot Locker, which was burned down during the major disturbances of August 2011

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

The former fire station. Read more: The old Fire Station, Ferndale Road, Brixton 1906 – 2014

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Former premises of San Marino coffee shop.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Ritzy cinema.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Electric Avenue.

 

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Loughborough Junction views.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

The old Green Man pub.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Barney’s cafe.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

St Matthew’s church.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

The Fridge, now the Electric.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton mural.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Herne Hill station. Note the “Beckham’s blast for Arsenal” headline.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

The much-missed Woolworths.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Former Bon Marche buildings now being used as a fancy showcase for architects to the super-rich, Squire & Partners.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Site for the former Empress Theatre.

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Brixton 15 Years Ago: Street scenes, closed pubs, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill photos, April 2003

Electric Lane view.

See more Brixton history

Brixton Buzz’s features on Brixton’s history
Brixton History discussed on the Brixton forums
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Lost pubs of Brixton

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, mayoral election, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

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Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Here’s a set of archive photos taken in and around Brixton a decade ago, showing street views from April 2008.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The London mayoral election took place on May 3rd, 2008, and former boxer and mayoral candidate Winston McKenzie was seen driving a truck around Brixton.

A perennial candidate for public office, McKenzie has been a member of every major political party, and has stood as an independent or minor party candidate on numerous occasions, all without success.

In the 2008 mayoral election, he managed just 0.2% of the vote.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

A more familiar face on the streets of Brixton was Ken Livingstone.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Seen talking to shopkeepers on Atlantic Road, Livingstone would go on to lose the election to Boris Johnson.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The site of the former Cooltan Arts squat, now home to upmarket homes in Brixton Square.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

It snowed in the first week of April.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The sad sight of the Duke of Wellington pub on Acre Lane prior to its demolition.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Built in 1907, the pub had many rather delightful Edwardian touches, with intricately detailed gables, and the brickwork proudly displaying the date of construction.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Read more about the pub here: Duke of Wellington, Acre Lane Brixton – Edwardian pub demolished.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Detail from the now-destroyed Mauleverer Road mural.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Closed shop. The writing on the door says, “Recompents Hebrew story No. 9.”

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The Royal Oak in Lyham Road being demolished.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Pub interior.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Window detail. Read more about the Royal Oak here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Faded mural celebrating the Brixton Windmill. It’s since been repainted.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Owned by the Brakspear brewery, the Prince of Wales on Lyham Road is still trading.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Boundary stone by Brixton Prison.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The headline says: “Lambeth: Overall crime down but murders rise 40%.”

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Although the frontage is still intact, the pub had already been closed for some time.

Read more here: Waggon and Horses, Lyham Road, SW2.

1925 view showing pub staff and customers ready to depart on their annual outing.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The graffiti ominously states, “T. Blitz, Wifey Slasher.”

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Brixton prison.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

A major fire broke out on Brixton Road.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The street was closed while several fire engines attended to the fire.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The burnt out shop brought back memories of the Great Fire of Brixton Morleys in August 1910.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Some locals set up a free hot food stall in Windrush Square, which was promptly closed down by the police.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The former Mango Landin’ in St Matthews Road, Brixton.

Originally known as The Hope (check out this selection of wonderful archive photos) and, briefly, Babushka, the bar saw out its last days as the Mango Landin’ bar.

It’s now home to “Luxury 2& 3 bedroom flats.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Inside Mango Landin.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Live music in the Prince Albert – a popular Coldharbour Lane pub which, sadly, no longer hosts live music. It was home to our Offline club night for over a decade.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Vic Lambrusco.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Ramones tribute band in the Prince Albert.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Packed pub,

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

The brilliant Captain Hotknives performs the Offline Club night at Brixton Jamm.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Bridport Dagger at the Prince Albert. The band are still going strong.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Brixton Buzz faves Amycanbe onstage.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Brixton folkies, the No Frills band who are still playing around town.

See: In photos: candlelit folk at the monthly No Frills sessions at the Brixton Windmill.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

‘Shaving Saloon’ ghost sign on Stockwell green.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Ghost signs on Stockwell Road..

First published over 75 years ago,  Picture Post was an influential and pioneering photojournalism magazine, swiftly rising to sell 1,700,000 copies within two months of launching.

Staunchly liberal, anti-Fascist and populist, the magazine campaigned against the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany before the Second World War, and penned their radical ‘”Plan for Britain” in January 1941.

Read more: Picture Post legend Bert Hardy at the Getty Gallery, London.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Now called Sri Lanka House, the 1852 building on Stockwell Road (opposite the Queens Head) was originally the Old Queens Head pub, and once housed horse trams. Read more here.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Stockwell Skate Park.

Brixton Ten Years Ago: Snow, smoke, clubs, closed pubs and Stockwell Skate Park, April 2008

Reliance Arcade off Brixton Road runs along a strip of land once occupied by the front and back gardens of a Georgian terrace at 455 Brixton Road. More here: Brixton’s iconic Reliance Arcade is added to the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ list.

See more Brixton history

Brixton Buzz’s features on Brixton’s history
Brixton History discussed on the Brixton forums
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Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, evictions, Red Records and more, May 2003

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Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Another delve into our extensive Brixton photographic archives has brought forth this selection of some 40 photos taken in and around town in May 2003 – fifteen years ago.

Above can be seen passengers looking out over Pope’s Road market from Brixton railway station.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Back in the day, Brixton tube station seemed to be in a permanent state of refurbishment.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Looking towards Stockwell Road with the long-gone Backstage bar to the right.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

A wet Electric Lane with Photofusion to the right.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Coldharbour Lane, looking east.

Clifton Mansions (to the right) was then home to a large, long-term squatted community who played a significant part in the local music and arts scene, with alternative musicians and artists such as members of The Pogues and the Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller residing there.

After an eviction party ruined by idiots, the building was cleared by a gang of mob handed bailiffs backed by a large police presence in July 2011.

The flats were subsequently renovated by super-rich property developers Lexadon and put on the rental market at prices that were well out of reach of locals. Goodbye artistic community, hello young professionals and gentrification.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

The far end of Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Inside the Prince Albert. Sadly, we lost Drew (on the right).

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

The much missed Queen pub at 45 Bellefields Road.

Once a legendary and much-loved part of Brixton’s nightlife, it was famed for its lock-ins, interesting characters and long, mad nights. The building was demolished in 2006.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brixton Road at night.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Atlantic Road before Network Rail cleared out the local traders.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Pope’s Road, now taken over by Sports Direct.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

View from the Ritzy bar.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

The old Windrush Square.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brixton Road, with Woolworths to the left.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Electric Avenue looking towards Atlantic Road.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Kashmir Yam Boys, Electric Avenue.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Valentia Place before the high rise ‘luxury living’ moved in.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brady’s clock tower, with its broken clock tower.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Electric Avenue.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Atlantic Road.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Atlantic Road. To the right can be seen the distinctive frontage of the Helter Skelter restaurant, which reopened as the Tongue and Groove, a short lived (and messy!) early Brixton twist on a cocktail bar.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Man with a stick, Electric Lane.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Juice Bar, Coldharbour Lane.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Old David Greig sign on Atlantic Road.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Atlantic Road.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brixton Road with old M&S frontage.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Red Records on Brixton Road. When it closed down in 2009 it marked the end of the building’s century-long connection with music.

Back in the 1920s, there was a ‘Singing Academy’, ‘Music Studio’ and ‘Piano Academy’ at the address.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Shops on Pope’s Road, with the now-demolished car park in the background.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Station Road views.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Electric Avenue on a warm May afternoon.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

The former Edwardian furniture annex of the now-defunct Bon Marche store in Ferndale Road, now the showcase offices of architects to luxury residential and high end business developments around the globe, Squire and Partners.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Roller skaters passing Brixton Oval.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Atlantic Road. The Kaff bar used to be under the building with the large first floor windows.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

The former Harmony bar. Read more: Lost Brixton pubs: Harmony Bar/Mingles/The George on Railton Road, Brixton.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Ghost sign.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Sam the Wheels.

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Brockwell Miniature Railway,

Brixton 15 years ago: lost bars, street scenes, Red Records and more, May 2003

Protest after the Post Office closes in Coldharbour Lane.

See more Brixton history

Lost Brixton: Theatres and cinemas

Brixton Buzz’s features on Brixton’s history
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Lost pubs of Brixton

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

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Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Here’s a small collection of photos taken in and around Brixton 15 years ago, in June 2003.

Above can be seen an interior shot of the Hamilton Arms, a long-lost community pub on Railton Road.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Happily still with us and operating as a hugely popular nightclub/gig venue is Ye Olde White Horse, now known as Jamm.

In the late 1990s/early 2000s, the venue traded under the name of Bar Lorca and specialised in salsa.

Read more: Brixton Jamm (formerly the White Horse) as seen in Edwardian postcards.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Brixton Road views.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Eagle printing works on Brixton Road.

The distinctive roof detail bearing the date of construction (1864) was later disgracefully removed by one of the owners of the Dogstar pub.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Housing being refurbished by Max Roach Park, Brixton Road.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Brixton Village (Granville Arcade).

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Once the pub of choice for the likes of Linton Kwesi Johnson and legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez, the Hamilton Arms offered a pool table, a generous rum selection and some brilliant bluebeat/ska nights, nights.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Look at those prices! £1.20 for a pint of Carling, and £1.50 for Carlsberg Export.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

The poster on the left appeals for help in saving the pub. It’s now a small supermarket.

Read more here: The Hamilton Arms, 128 Railton Road, SE24

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Atlantic Road street traders at Mooji’s Chai Shop.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

Guarana used to be all the rage of a while.

Brixton 15 years ago: Hamilton Arms, Bar Lorca and street scenes, June 2003

And, finally, here’s the Brockwell Park Miniature Railway heading off on a run.

See more Brixton history

Brixton Buzz’s features on Brixton’s history
Brixton History discussed on the Brixton forums
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Lost pubs of Brixton

Lambeth’s disappearing pubs – 45 boozers disappear in the last 17 years

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Lambeth's lost pubs - 45 boozers disappear in the last 17 years

A new study by the Office for National Statistics lets people know how many pubs have closed in their area, with the figures revealing that across the borough of Lambeth, 45 pubs have been lost since 2001.

Lambeth's lost pubs - 45 boozers disappear in the last 17 years

This means that the total amount of pubs in Lambeth has fallen from 190 pubs to 145, and the area around Brixton has lost many much-loved community boozers.

In recent years we’ve seen the closure of The Angel on Coldharbour Lane, The Canterbury Arms, The Hamilton and the much-loved Grosvenor, while in Loughborough Junction, The Junction (formerly The Warrior),  The Crown and Amaryliss have all disappeared.

This follows the national trend where the total number of pubs has fallen from around 50,000 pubs in 2008 to around 39,000 pubs in 2018.

Lambeth's lost pubs - 45 boozers disappear in the last 17 years

However, the report notes:

But these figures don’t tell the full story of how the UK pub trade is doing. Although lots of pubs have closed, the total turnover of pubs and bars has held up, remaining flat since 2008, once inflation is taken into account. The remaining pubs and bars appear to have soaked up the custom from those pubs that have closed down.

Employment figures back this up: while the number of jobs in pubs dipped during the economic downturn, there are now 6% more jobs in pubs and bars than there were in 2008. The largest increases have been in bigger pubs (those with 10 or more employees). This may be because pubs are increasingly focussed on serving food as well as drink, which requires more waiting and kitchen staff.

In 2008, pubs in the UK had a median number of five employees. By 2018, partly due to the closure of many smaller pubs, this had increased to eight employees.

Read the full report here:  Economies of ale: small pubs close as chains focus on big bars

See a listing of Brixton’s lost pubs here and see related photo features here.

 


Crown & Sceptre pub on Streatham Hill set to close on Sunday 24th Feb 2019

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Crown & Sceptre to close, Streatham Lonson SW2

Rumours have been circulating for weeks, but it not seems that the popular Wetherspoons-owned Crown & Sceptre public house between Brixton and Streatham will close its doors on Sunday, 24th February 2019.

Crown & Sceptre pub on Streatham Hill set to close on Sunday 24th Feb 2019

Posting on the Brixton forum, lordnoise reported:

Confirmed by bar staff tonight that the pub closes this Sunday the 24th – sounds like its going out with a whimper too – no wake planned.

Its demise is a great blow for those of a certain age with a certain income level …

Crown & Sceptre pub on Streatham Hill set to close on Sunday 24th Feb 2019

Brixton Buzz shares his dismay at losing this affordable, landmark pub that was welcome to all, and one that dates back as far as 1825.

The Crown & Sceptre joins two other nearby pubs that have closed in recent times, with the George IV/Music Bar closing in 2013 and the Telegraph in 2009.

The Crown & Sceptre can be found at 2a Streatham Hill, Streatham, London SW2 4AH

More info

Discuss the pub’s closure’s on the Brixton forum

Read our features on the lost pubs of Brixton 

The Clash sing about the Crown & Sceptre

We met when we were in school
Never took no shit from no one, we weren’t fools
The teacher says we’re dumb
We’re only having fun
We piss on everyone
In the classroom

When we got thrown out I left without much fuss
An’ weekends we’d go dancing
Down Streatham on the bus
You always made me laugh

Got me in bad fights
Play me pool all night
Smokin’ menthol

I practiced daily in my room
You were down the crown planning your next move
Go on a nicking spree
Hit the wrong guy
Each of you get three
Years in Brixton

I did my very best to write
How was butlins?
Were the screws too tight?
When you lot get out
Were gonna hit the town
We’ll burn it fuckin’ down
To a cinder

‘Cause years have passed and things have changed
And I move anyway I want to go
I’ll never forget the feeling I got
When I heard that you’d got home

An’ I’ll never forget the smile on my face
‘Cause I knew where you would be
An’ if you’re in the crown tonight
Have a drink on me
But go easy…step lightly…stay free

Songwriters: Joe Strummer / Mick Jones / Paul Simonon / Topper Headon

Crown & Sceptre pub on Streatham Hill goes out with a confusing whimper as locals take to social media

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Crown & Sceptre pub on Streatham Hill goes out with a confusing whimper as locals take to social media

There’s been plenty of confusion, anger and disappointment from locals as the Crown & Sceptre has now apparently closed for good, but with its owners offering no explanation for the closure or revealing what the future might hold for the much loved pub.

Crown & Sceptre pub on Streatham Hill goes out with a confusing whimper as locals take to social media

With no official announcement being released about either the pub’s closure or any future developments, regulars voiced their opinions on social media.

Our sister site, urban75, has a dedicated thread to the pub, with over 110 contributions from posters:

T (Sat 16th Feb): Pub was rammed this eve albeit mostly with people who needed to show ID.

Still no information from anyone. GM gives short shrift but won’t actually commit to anything apart from giving the odd knowing wink.

A bit of honestly would be appreciated.

LN: (Mon 18th Feb): Confirmed by bar staff tonight that the pub closes this Sunday the 24th – sounds like its going out with a whimper too – no wake planned.
Its demise is a great blow for those of a certain age with a certain income level …

JBN (Tues 19th Feb): Was in there last night, they are already running out of food and beers.

It was busy, as it probably is every week day at around that time, and it made me think what a shame it is that it is closing, and where everyone who would normally be in there will go after Sunday.

It struck me as perhaps the ideal type of pub spoons would want to be running with a real cross section of people in there- families having dinner, old boys nursing pints, groups of youngsters having their cheap drinks together as there is no where else they can afford etc etc. I get there is lots we don’t know about the building which has made spoons decide to sell the place, but it just seems like a proper busy local pub that shouldn’t be getting closed down in my opinion.

KF (Weds 20th Feb): I’m incredibly sad it’s closing. It’s been the backdrop to the last 14 years of my life. The first time I went in was after I’d been to see the place I was moving into with my (then) boyfriend. I’ve had some incredible nights in there and met some amazing people.

Going up there on Thursday night for one last hurrah, hopefully they’ll still have something I can drink!

BH (Thurs 21st Feb): Bar staff still tight-lipped, but the writing is on the wall. Stuff is running out (no more Old Rosie or Cahluha hot pepper sauce.)

The skip is being filled up with furniture: cupboard & wardrobe doors, a corner storage unit, a computer monitor, CDs, DVDs, an ironing board. Whatever’s happening, the worker’s flats upstairs are being emptied out. Sad times.

Y (Thurs 21st Feb): It’s pretty busy tonight.

To the right we have a large multicultural gathering of at least 3 generations noisily enjoying being with each other, students home from uni being very well behaved (considering the price of a drink) and the clickedy clank of someone winning on the fruit machine.

Some locals banter with a group of electricians on a job from Newcastle, everyone has a smile on their face. Strangers talk at the bar and other tables see more than a few lone drinkers and eaters happy with the annonimity, friendliness and privacy the place provides.

Finally to the (far!) left, today is the local labour supporting group meet up, one of many groups that use this as their gathering place of choice along with other groups including LGBTI, blind, deaf/BSL, DNS to name a few. All enjoying the huge spectrum of people and lives that frequent this place.

There is no prejudice here.

LN (Thurs 21st Feb): In here as well – bar staff now denying its closing ! Not sure what to believe … getting p***ed off due to the lack of clarity though…

Sorry folks I must have caught a staff member off guard and in truthfull mode earlier in the week … tonight its back to “its just a rumour” . A former publican customer in here says pub groups/companies dont like to advertise closures as you end up with a load of pissed morose punters who start taking things off the wall as momentos … sadly ignore my posting earlier tonight – I think the old boy closes this Sunday …

JBN (Fri 23rd Feb): Had one in there last night, asked one of the bar maids and she looked at her manager nervously before saying “we havent been told”. We know thats not true, but imagine actually having not been told!

BH (Sat 24th Feb): Tonight in the pub I’ve seen old friends, students, ageing old punks, blokes in suits, gay couples, a group playing board games, a bunch of well dressed older Indian guys, teenagers up to no good, some ladies with their zimmer frames, a bunch of girls who looked so young they came out with their passports , a couple who ordered a glass of wine via the app and accidentally got a bottle and are now getting rather pissed, the barman from an old local of mine , a guy who reckons he’s been drinking in here for 40 years and his band used to play on the raised bit where the west indian boys sit….etc etc

LR (Sat 24th Feb); Absolutely – if any local pub is an “asset of community value”, it is the Crown & Sceptre.

Wiping a bit of a tear from my eye – I’ve been drinking in this pub for 29 years and at 10pm realised that probably half of the people in the pub weren’t even born back then.

Variety of stories doing the rounds – still a few conspiraloons who think Tim Martin is closing it to punish the most remain voting place in the country.

More plausible story – it has been sold to a leisure operator for conversion to a hotel with a new accommodation wing on car park possibly with retained pub below. The best case scenario would be something like Tulse Hill Tavern (although that would price out a *lot* of current regulars). The worst case scenario is some chain hotel operator with a soul-less hotel lobby bar of no interest to anyone.

Y (Today): Called the pub this morning. They’re not open today. They’re not open tomorrow. Asked when they would be re-opening, they “couldnt tell me that”!

There’s a flat bed truck in the car park. Couldn’t see what was in it though.

The plot thickens… or doesn’t… who knows…!

Update:

BH on the urban75 forum finally found confirmation that the pub has indeed closed:

Went past earlier. Definitely closed. Mobile scaffolding outside, some workers doing something to the outside of the building. Didn’t get a chance to ask them any details.

Signs up, but still no explanation.

Comments on Twitter

Incidentally, the pub’s website is still active (screengrab above) and claiming that they’re still open for business.

Add your thoughts

Please add your comments below or join the dedicated thread on the forum.

The Crown & Sceptre is/was at 2a Streatham Hill, Streatham, London SW2 4AH.

Incredibly, the Crown & Sceptre in Streatham Hill is set to reopen this weekend, Fri 1st Mar 2019!

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It seems that the rumours of the demise of the Crown & Sceptre in Streatham Hill have been greatly exaggerated, with new owners set to reopen the pub this Friday.

Just two days after Wetherspoons closed the pub in a cloud of secrecy, posters have gone up in the windows of the popular pub saying:

We are closed for business. We will re-open this Friday. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

There’s been quite a lot of chat about this on the urban75 forums and one poster told us:

I spoke to Wetherspoons press office. They told me they couldn’t say who they’d sold the pub to but they “understood it will remain as a pub and might reopen this Thursday.”

They sold the pub for “commercial reasons.

The pub has been open as a Wetherspoons since 1991 and there were around 50 staff employed there. “No jobs have been lost” apparently – all staff have been offered jobs at other pubs in the area. (No details on whether they still have as many shifts etc.)

I also asked about the Holland Tringham but they wouldn’t say anything.

Incredibly, the Crown & Sceptre in Streatham Hill is set to reopen this weekend!

Thanks to a tip off by one of our readers, we discovered that a new Facebook page has already been set up, with the banner proclaiming:

Pub re-opening this weekend. We are hiring all staff.

The contact email on the Facebook page belongs to a company called LT Management Services, who describe themselves as a, “refreshingly unique and innovative pub management company with responsibility for over 1,100 pubs nationwide.”

We’ve emailed them but are yet to receive a reply, although we’ve been told that LT are “a holding company, used by pub companies until they get a buyer,” which makes sense.

Add your thoughts

Please add your comments below or join the dedicated thread on the forum.

The Crown & Sceptre is at 2a Streatham Hill, Streatham, London SW2 4AH

[Thanks to Yage for the pic & Brixton Hatter and Tony Lindsay for the info]

Lost pubs of Brixton: The Volunteer, 6 Beehive Place, Brixton, London SW9

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Now buried under the site of the Brixton Rec, the first reference to The Volunteer pub at 6 Beehive Place, SW9 was registered in 1919, with the corner building being stylishly rebuilt around 1934.

Lost pubs of Brixton: The Volunteer, 6 Beehive Place, Brixton, London SW9

The pub redesign got into the swing of the prevalent Art Deco movement, with a monochromatic frontage, geometric lines, and on-trend light fittings. The shutters on the first floor windows were also an unusual addition.

It must have looked startlingly modern when built.

Lost pubs of Brixton: The Volunteer, 6 Beehive Place, Brixton, London SW9

Charrington’s Brewery

Above the main entrance is the name of the owners, Charrington’s. Founded in Bethnal Green, London in the early 18th century by Robert Westfield, Charrington Brewery merged with United Breweries of London in 1964 to become Charrington United Breweries.

After acquiring a number of other breweries, Charrington merged with Bass and Mitchell & Butlers and formed Bass Charrington Limited in 1967.

Thirty years later, Bass Charrington sold off its public houses with the buyer creating Punch Taverns. In 2000, the company sold off its brands to Interbrew and remaining properties to Six Continents. []

Lost pubs of Brixton: The Volunteer, 6 Beehive Place, Brixton, London SW9

Art Deco lamp fittings and advert for ‘Toby Stout.’

The fall of stout

As this site explains, stout fell out of popularity in the 60s and 70s:

Mild was the working man’s drink for the first half of the twentieth century. The only choice was between mild and stout; bitter was a luxury. In 1900 best bitter was almost unknown and in 1929 it was still only a tiny fraction total beer sales.

At the start of the sixties, mild was the dominant beer. Around 40% of the output of Bass Charrington, Britain’s largest brewer, was mild. By 1967 this had fallen to 30%. Mild was losing favour, though it was the cheapest beer. It did have strongholds in the Midlands (notably M & B Mild), but the majority chose best bitter.

Best bitter on draught and its bottled equivalent, best pale ale, were the favourite beers of the 60s. Pale ale was sold as a premium beer; it was a popular luxury.

Lost pubs of Brixton: The Volunteer, 6 Beehive Place, Brixton, London SW9

Brewers Messrs Charrington & Co created this elevation of The Volunteer public house as part of their plans to rebuild the pub in 1934.

Note the beehive incorporated in the decorative crest above the first floor.

Pub location

Lost pubs of Brixton: The Volunteer, 6 Beehive Place, Brixton, London SW9

OS 1944-1967 map showing the pub on the corner of Beehive Place and Industry Terrace (which would disappear under the Brixton Recreation Centre, which was constructed between 1974 and 1985.

Brixton has lost no less than three pubs from this small area. As well as the Volunteer, there was the Black Horse pub on Brixton Road (top left hand corner) and the recently demolished Canterbury Arms (top right).

In this OS London 1893-1895 map, there is no sign of the Volunteer, although it’s worth noting that Beehive Place was then called ‘Cumberland Place.’

Chat about the Volunteer

Join the discussion on our forum

See more Brixton history

Brixton Buzz’s features on Brixton’s history
Brixton History discussed on the Brixton forums
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Lost pubs of Brixton

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

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Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Another rummage through our photo archives has uncovered some 40-odd photos showing life in Brixton ten years ago, back in March 2010, when Lady Gaga and Boyzone topped the album charts.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

A public event took place in Windrush Square to mark the lengthy and expensive rebuilding of Brixton’s main square.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Kids dance to the band.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Inside the Brixton Pound tent.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The last day of operation for the temporary 545 bus service from Brixton to Camberwell.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The new Windrush Square lighting.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Hot Chip and Simian Mobile Disco at the Brixton Academy.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Acoustic Insurgency night at the much-missed Grosvenor pub.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The sticker-strewn Grosvenor toilet.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Garage punk rock’n’rollers, The Spivs onstage.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Poetry and punk.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The excellent Lost Cavalry at the Windmill.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The Obscuritones at the Ritzy, who formed in Brixton 2010.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Brady’s six-sided clock tower.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The derelict United Reform Church Sunday School on Streatham High Road, which was demolished as part of the Streatham Hub Scheme.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The gaudily painted Streatham Ice Rink was also flattened as part of the Tesco redevelopment.

It was Britain’s second oldest ice skating rink, and had produced British, European and world ice-dance and ice-skating champions since the 1930s.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The closed Bedford Park pub at 223 Streatham High Road, SW16 6EN. Read more about the pub here.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Mediterranean Bakery at 157 Streatham High Road.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

St Leonard’s church.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Delightful art deco frontage of The Goose pub on Streatham High Road. It’s still a pub and now trading as Pratts & Payne.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Streatham Library is located at 63 Streatham High Road. Opening in 1890, it is one of several historical libraries in the area which were built by Henry Tate.

The building is dominated by the striking King Edward VII Memorial Clock above the entrance.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Wimpy fast food restaurant. An America invention started in 1934, the first “Wimpy Bar” was established at the Lyons Corner House in Coventry Street, London in 1954. []

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

The closed Jack Stamps pub at 80-82 Streatham High Road, which has now reopened as the Rebel Inn.

See more Streatham photos from March 2010 here. 

Prince Albert gigs, March 2010

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

New visitors to the Prince Albert on Coldharbour Lane are unlikely to notice that it was once a thriving live venue.

We used to host regular bands on the now-disappeared stage, and it was always a popular venue for visiting acts.

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

Brazilian Band Ocio onstage.

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

On the Albert dancefloor.

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

Clog-thumping MattM onstage.

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

Sanjuro take to the stage.

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

In photos: Bands at the Brixton Prince Albert, March 2010

The Skylarkers.

Brixton History: Windrush Square, The Grosvenor, Streatham, gigs and closed pubs, March 2010

Jack Blackburn and band.

See more Brixton history

Browse the Brixton history photo features on this site
Chat about Brixton history on the busy Brixton forum
View the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives

Lost pubs of south London: The Denmark, Denmark Road, Camberwell, SE5

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Lost pubs of south London: The Denmark, Denmark Road, SE5

Although the building remains intact, the former Denmark pub, situated at 115 Denmark Road in Camberwell, closed over a quarter of a century ago in in 1994.

Now -inevitably – converted into private flats with a mansard roof bolted on the top, the pub dates back to Victorian times where it was known for a while as the Denmark Tavern.

Seen in its full glory in the above archive photo, the corner of the pub advertises ‘HOARE & Co’s Fine TOBY ALE and STOUT.’

The Brewery History site has the details of this long-lost brewery:

Hoare & Co LtdRed Lion Brewery, Lower East Smithfield, London E1

Possibly founded as far back as 1492 with Sir John Parson’s brewery in business during 17th century.

Red Lion brewhouse built 1792.

George Matthew Hoare became a partner in 1802. Registered August 1894 with 110 public houses.

Acquired by Charrington & Co. Ltd in 1933 and ceased brewing on 23rd June 1934.

The Pubwiki website details landlords and residents living in the pub, dating back to 1874, while the entry in CAMRA’s S E London Pub Guide of 1988 was brief and to the point: “CHARRINGTON: No Real Ale.”

Lost pubs of south London: The Denmark, Denmark Road, SE5

This modern view shows that little has changed since closure, although the building to the left has been demolished and the entrance to the former Denmark Garage has been bricked up.

Lost pubs of south London: The Denmark, Denmark Road, SE5

Lost pubs of south London: The Denmark, Denmark Road, SE5

Lost pubs of south London: The Denmark, Denmark Road, SE5

MoreLost pubs of Brixton: feature.

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Camberwell news and chitter-chatter (over 2,000 posts)

Remembering the lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, between Brixton and Streatham

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Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

We first documented the King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2, back in April 2005, two years after it had permanently closed.

Known locally as the ‘King of Sardines’, there had been a pub on this site since Victorian times, but by 2003 the building was boarded up and waiting conversion into flats.

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

The pub was discussed on the Brixton forum in May 2004:

Ianw: The first time I went in there was some kind of Brazilian jazz band playing.

 

Not many people in but it had a good vibe.

 

Reminded me of the Landor in the early nineties – when you were likely to walk in to find a DJ in an orange dress spinning Puff The Magic Dragon.

 

Second time it was a bit dead so we sat outside. Then it closed. That was roughly this time last year.

Minnie the Minx: Didn’t get on with it at all.

 

Not sure why, but there was a bargirl there years ago who just didn’t seem to like other women going in. I almost felt resented. She’d stand there eating her sausage roll rather than serve me.

 

It was a real lad’s pub then and hardly any women went in except at weekends when they were let out by their husbands – that’s the impression I got

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

The pub was listed in the 1881 census and rebuilt in 1935.

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Here’s how the pub looks today as private residences:

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Revisiting Brixton's lost King of Sardinia pub in Somers Road, SW2

Archive photo of the pub, post 1935.

More about the King of Sardinia

Location: 21 Somers Road, Streatham Hill, Brixton, London SW2

See photo feature from April 2005

What are your memories of the King of Sardinia?

We’d love to hear your stories and see any old photos – please add a comment below or join the Brixton history chat.

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General Brixton history – photos, stories etc (1,600 posts)


The Paulet Arms, SE5 – still empty after all these years

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The Paulet Arms, SE5 - still empty after all these years

The Paulet Arms was a popular local boozer that was sadly lost to the community after being sold for £920,000 as far back December 2006.

Fourteen years later, the ground floor is still to find a tenant, although fairly new ‘To Let’ signs have appeared.

Here’s how it looked last week:

The Paulet Arms, SE5 - still empty after all these years

The last review on the Beer In The Evening site from Jan 2006 said:

Good welcoming pub – not become trendy like, it seems, all the others in the area

The Paulet Arms, SE5 - still empty after all these years

Sue Millward posted her memories in the Brixton forum:

My parents (Len and Iris) worked behind the bar of the Paulet Arms in the late fifties/early sixties, for the then owners Bob and Olive.

 

They had a customers’ Christmas club there for the locals’ children, which paid for a party, in the large room upstairs, at Christmas time, where a good time was had by all.

 

When Bob and Olive were on holiday, my parents and my brother and I would move into the pub, to cover, and I have many happy memories of my times there, staying in the then pretty bedrooms, playing with their boxer/great dane cross dog, Rocky, plink-plonking on the piano in the “party room” and riding up and down to the cellar, from the bar, in the dumb waiter.

 

I returned there about 20 years ago, just as the current owners were about to refurbish the place and the lady there kindly allowed me to go upstairs – the place was in very bad repair, the piano was old and falling to bits, with a bag of concrete stuck on top of it – all very surreal.

 

As I said, I am so sorry it has been closed – a part of my soul will always linger there.

The Paulet Arms, SE5 - still empty after all these years

The Paulet Arms, SE5 - still empty after all these years

The Paulet Arms, SE5 - still empty after all these years

Do you remember the pub?

We’d love to hear your stories and see any photos – add your comments below

Pub location:

19-21 Paulet Road, Camberwell, London, SE5 9HP
Location map

Join the discussion

Goodbye Paulet Arms (SE5)

Archive pics

Lost pubs: PAULET ARMS, Camberwell





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