The Geezers have started research on their project Where’s My Boozer Gone? At this point we are establishing pubs in Bow which have closed in the last 20-30 years.
We have got pictures for most of them which we have posted below.
Do you remember them? Did you socialise in them? Did you work in them?
Let us know about it. We are interested in your stories and memories for an exhibition we will be mounting at the Idea Store in the Roman Road and at other venues in the Borough.
We will also be producing a booklet.
Please send us your stories and comments in the Comment section at the bottom of the post or email: bowgeezers@btinternet.com
We are researching pub histories in the Local History and Archive Library in Bancroft Road.
Our next step is to do interviews with people who socialised or worked in the pubs. How important were they to individuals in the community and to the community as a whole?
Please let us know if you’ve got stories to tell. And we are still looking for pictures for
The Earl of Aberdeen – Grove Road now got this one – thanks to Kevin for sending us this link.
The Horns – LeFevre Road
The Lady Franklin – Old Ford photo now received, see below
The Royal Standard – Eric Street
The Marquis of Cornwallis
The Three Colts or Old Three Colts 450 Old Ford Road
Here’s the pubs we’ve found so far:
Caledonian Arms
Location of Pub- 62 Fairfield Road
Opened – 1851 Closed – 2000
Brewery? – Watney’s Brewery
What Is It Now? – Residential Use
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
This former Watney’s Brewery pub had been present since at least 1851. It’s just north of the former Bryant & May match factory, scene of the famous ‘Match Girls’ strike of 1888. The statue of Prime Minister Gladstone is outside Bow Church. Despite the clean-up efforts of the local council, he usually has red hands to symbolise his role in the ending of the strike which was said to have been “paid for in blood”. This pub must have been witness to many of the events of the time. It closed in 2000 and stood derelict for a long time, but has now been converted to residential use.
The Aunt Sally
Location of Pub- 2 Midlothian Street
Opened – ? Closed – 2000
Brewery? – Watney’s Brewery
What Is It Now? – Food Outlet
Was it known by any other name? The Outpost. The Twilight Zone.
The Melody Park Inn.
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have? Karaoke. DJ. Gay Bar.
Information so far
The Ordell Arms
Location of Pub- 22 Ordell Road
Opened – ? Closed – 2001
Brewery? – Courage
What Is It Now? – Residential Flats
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
No hand-pumped beers.
The Hand and Flowers
Location of Pub- 72 Parnell Road
Opened – 1881 Closed – 2009
Brewery? – Whitbread
What Is It Now? – Food Outlet
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
This pub was present by 1881 and belonged to the Whitbread Brewery. It ran into problems in 2006 when it was closed on the recommendation of police who said that a seven month surveillance revealed to them that the pub was notorious for “fights, drug-dealing and drunkenness”; this despite always looking completely deserted and harmless whenever I passed by. By 2007 the leasehold was available for £60,000 whilst the pub limped on until final closure in 2009.
The Black Swan
Location of Pub- 148 Bow Road
Opened – 1882 Closed – early 1970’s
Brewery? – Hodgson’s/Smith Garrett Breweries
What Is It Now? – ?
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Black Swan was situated at 148 Bow Road. This pub was present by 1822, at which time it was almost certainly in the ownership of the nearby Hodgson’s Brewery. By 1915 the brewery had become Smith Garrett’s Bow Brewery. On the night of 23 September 1916 this pub was completely destroyed by a direct hit from a bomb dropped by a German Zeppelin in one of the very first ever air raids on London, with the loss of several lives. The Zeppelin itself was later shot down over Essex and the crew surrendered – they are said to have been the only uniformed German troops to have set foot on English soil during the First World War. The pub was rebuilt in 1920, although was from then on said to be haunted by the ghosts of the former landlord’s two daughters who had died in the air raid. The pub closed and was demolished when Bromley High Street was widened in the early 1970s.
Bombay Grab
Location of Pub- 246 Bow Road
Opened – 1805 Closed – early 19792/3
Brewery? – Hodgson’s/Ind Coope Breweries/Freehouse
What Is It Now? – Mosque and Islamic Centre
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Bombay Grab was situated at 246 Bow Road. This pub was present by 1805 and by 1817 had become the brewery tap for Hodgson’s Brewery, which had relocated to an adjacent site. Hodgson’s are of course famous as one of the pioneers of the export by sea of beer to the British colonies in India. Indeed, the name of the pub is believed to be a corruption of ‘Bombay Gurab’, a kind of Indian coastal vessel which would also have played a part in the export beer trade. The pub was rebuilt in 1933 when this whole area was redeveloped. After the Second World War, the licensee was James Charles Lane, a former champion weightlifter and wrestler. By this time the pub was owned by Ind Coope. It became a free house in around 1990 and closed very soon after, in 1992 or 1993. In these later years the pub had been quite a landmark, with its name painted on its roof in huge white letters, clearly visible from the adjacent Bow Flyover. The former pub now houses a mosque and an Islamic community centre. The Bombay Grab was the name of a specific ship in the East India Marine. The publican in 1900 was George Peter Hans, a Bavarian who took British nationality.
The Duke of York
Location of Pub- 129 Anthill Road
Opened – 1869 Closed – 2002
Brewery? – Smith Garrett’s Brewery
What Is It Now? – Private Residential
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Duke Of York was situated 129 Antill Road. This pub was built in around 1869 and was owned by Smith Garrett’s Brewery of Bow. It featured some very fine green tiling advertising that brewery’s products, some of which still survive and are almost certainly the best monument to that brewery that can still be seen today. The pub closed in 2002 and was converted to private residential use.
Moulders Arms
Location of Pub- 50-52 Bromley High Street
Opened – ? Closed – 2007
Brewery? – ?
What Is It Now? –
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
Facing the pub about 50 to 100 metres to the left was a large house. My grandmother my grandfather my mum and her two brothers lived in this house from 1908 to 1914. There were about twelve rooms in this house and every room had a family. On the ground floor was one toilet which everyone in house had to use, but also, The Moulders arms clientele had to use it because the pub had no toilet. ( the good old days ) My mum told me that every weekend there was a continuous queue of people from the pub going past there room, relieving themselves in the one toilet whilst sing at top note for every ones enjoyment.
The Ancient Briton
Location of Pub- 44a Glaucous Street
Opened – 1855 Closed – 2005
Brewery? – Charrington’s Brewery
What Is It Now? – Residential Apartments
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information So Far
The Ancient Briton was situated at 44a Glaucous Street. This pub was built in 1855 when Glaucous Street was first developed. By the twentieth century it was a Charrington’s Brewery pub. It closed in 2005 and was demolished in 2007, with flats being built on the site.
The Crystal Tavern
Location of Pub- 25 Burdett Road
Opened – 1880 Closed – 1995
Brewery? – Taylor Walker Brewery
What Is It Now? – Residential Use
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Crystal Tavern was situated 25 Burdett Road. This was a Taylor Walker Brewery pub, established in around 1880. It closed and was converted to residential use in around 1995 and was demolished in 2010.
The King’s Head
Location of Pub- 8 Bow Road
Opened – 1885 Closed – 1970’s
Brewery? – ?
What Is It Now? – Demolished with strip of shops
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Kings Head was situated at 8 Bow Road. The publican in 1885 was George Kemp. The pub was demolished, along with the strip of shops fronting on to Bow Road, between British and Merchant Streets, in the 1970’s.
Lady Franklin
Location of Pub- 381 Old Ford Road
Opened – 1861 Closed – 1969
Brewery? –
What Is It Now? – Residential Flats above Commercial Premises
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
Many thanks to Richard Cole for sending us the photo of the Lady Franklin. Richard said: “The old boy standing outside was the one armed paper seller George, he lived in Parnell Road a few doors down from the pub. In the six years we lived there come what may winter or summer rain or shine I never saw him wear an overcoat or take his jacket and cap off. My parents were the last tenants, this photo must have been taken just after they closed the pub down ready for demolition, I would think ‘68/69.”
The Tenterden Arms
Location of Pub- 22 Devons Road
Opened – 1869 Closed – 2007
Brewery? – Truman’s Brewery
What Is It Now? – Residential Flats above Commercial Premises
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Three Tuns
Location of Pub- 185 Bow Road
Opened – 1823 Closed – 1999
Brewery? – Hodgson’s/Whitbnread Breweries
What Is It Now? – Residential Flats above Commercial Premises
Was it known by any other name? Ye Olde Three Tuns
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Three Tuns was situated at 185 Bow Road. This pub was present on what was then Bow High Street in 1823, at which time it was owned by the Hodgson’s Brewery of Bow. By the late twentieth century it was a Whitbread Brewery pub, popular enough to be enlarged into the neighbouring premises in 1985, and in its latter years it affected the name Ye Olde Three Tuns. But in 1999 it closed and was converted into residential use.
Bromley Arms
Location of Pub- 51 Fairfield Road
Opened? ? Closed – 2005
Brewery? – Watney’s/Shepherd Neame Breweries
What Is It Now? – Residential
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Bromley Arms was situated at 51 Fairfield Road. This pub was present by 1861 and closed in 1997. It had been a Watney’s Brewery pub until 1989, when it was purchased by the Shepherd Neame Brewery of Faversham, Kent. It stood derelict for a while after closure, until converted to residential use in 2005.
Morpeth Castle
Location of Pub- 69 Cadogan Terrace E9
Opened? 1860 Closed – 1990
Brewery? – Truman’s Brewery
What Is It Now? – Residential
Was it known by any other name? Manhattan’s/Butlers
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Morpeth Castle was situated at 69 Cadogan Terrace. This pub was established by 1860. It was a Truman’s Brewery pub and still exhibits some brewery signage. Although at the time still owned by Truman’s, by 1983 the pub had been renamed Manhattan’s. By 1986 the name had been changed to Butlers, and the pub closed in 1990. By 1992 it had been converted to residential use.
Bridge House
Location of Pub- 14 Bow Common Lane
Opened? 1878 Closed – 2000
Brewery? – Watney’s/Bellhaqven Breweries/ Freehouse
What Is It Now? – Residential
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Bridge House was situated at 14 Bow Common Lane. This pub was present by 1878. It was a Watney’s Brewery pub until around 1990 when it was sold to Belhaven. The pub closed in 2000, after a final short period as a free house, and has been converted to residential use.
The Earl of Ellesmere
Location of Pub- 19 Chisenhale Road
Opened? 1866 Closed – 2001
Brewery? – Taylor Walker/Godson’s Breweries
What Is It Now? – Residential
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have? Music and Dancing
Information so far
The Earl Of Ellesmere was situated 19 Chisenhale Road. This pub was present by 1866, at which time it obtained a licence for music and dancing. It was a Taylor Walker Brewery pub, although by the 1980s it stood opposite the modern-day Godson’s Brewery. It closed and was converted to residential use in 2001.
The John Bull
Location of Pub- 490 Roman Road
Opened? 1850 Closed – 1996
Brewery? – Taylor Walker Brewery
What Is It Now? – Estate Agents
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have? Music and Dancing
Information so far
The John Bull was situated at 490 Roman Road. This pub has stood on Roman Road since at least 1850. It was a Taylor Walker Brewery pub and, despite always seeming busy, it closed in 1996. The premises now serve as an estate agent’s offices.
The Needle Gun
Location of Pub- 215, then 527 Roman Road
Opened? 1828 Closed – 2011
Brewery? – ?
What Is It Now? – Hotel
Was it known by any other name? The Trader
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Needle Gun was at 215 Roman Road but it later became 527 Roman Road through road renumbering. The pub was established in 1828 and in recent years was renamed the Trader (2007). By 2011 the pub had become a hotel .
The Lord Palmerston
Location of Pub- 45 Hewlett Road, Old Ford Road
Opened? 1866 Closed – 2002
Brewery? – Charrington’s
What Is It Now? – Residential
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
The Lord Palmerston was situated 45 Hewlett Road. This was a quiet, backstreet Charrington’s Brewery pub, established by 1866. It closed in 2002 and has been converted to residential use.
Top O’The Morning
Location of Pub- 62 Frances Terrace, Wick Lane then 129Cadogan Terrace E9
Opened? 1864 Closed – 2013
Brewery? – ?
What Is It Now? – ?
Was it known by any other name? Mitford Castle
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
Mitford Castle The pub was present by 1864 at 62 Frances Terrace, Wick Lane in 1878. Later address is at 129 Cadogan Terrace. It had been named Top O’ The Morning since at least 1983. Closed as a Pub by 2013, although possibly earlier.
The Matchmaker
Location of Pub- 580-586 Roman Road
Opened? ? Closed – 2010
Brewery? – Freehouse (Wetherspoons)
What Is It Now? – Poundland
Was it known by any other name?
What Activities Did Pub Used To Have?
Information so far
In 1968 we were invited to celebrate a friend’s birthday at The Black Swan, Mile End Road. We found a table, ordered a drink and us girls went to the loo. There was a locked door there with frosted glass behind which we could just about detect movement. Strange! After awhile in the bar we were invited to go downstairs to the basement where there were long wooden benches either side of a long raised walkway. The lights were lowered and we still didn’t know why!! We soon found out – It was an amazing drag show which walked up and down the length of the walkway in front of us, quite suggestive and vulgar with coloured bulbs which sometimes lit up incorporated into costumes, but once you got used to it, fascinating to appreciate the extreme make-up and costumes! Ah, that explains what was behind the frosted glass – it was the performer’s changing room! I have never forgotten that night! So sad to read that it was demolished just 2 years later in 1970.
Thanks brilliant – just sent you an email
Do you need a picture of the Lady Franklin. ? ..my parents were the last tenants , I’ve been looking for a picture for years and in a conversation with my son today about my time in bow he chirps up with “I have a picture of grandads pub “ …?
Hi David , my old father in law Bill Clark and his brother in law John Walsh lived and died in that pub ..Bill was a coal man and most nights after work that was his watering hole …my parents where the last licencces of the Lady Franklin , on the corner of old Ford and Parnell road ..
My father-in-law Bob McCarthy was the landlord of The Black Swan 148 Bow Road in the early seventies. It was a proper east end pub with a lively atmosphere and colurful clientele. I met my wife here who was the barmaid, after chatting her up and asking if I could take her home, she replied she was already home, she was Bob’s daughter and lived there.
Bob went on to be the landlord of The Earl of Ellesmere 36 Ellesmere street Poplar, another fantastic pub, sadly demolished like the swan replaced by unsightly mundane flats, progress I think they call it.
Would love to hear some memories of any punters that used both pubs and desperate to find any photos, which seem to be rare to find. All the best.
I heard Jimmy the barbet went to live in Portugal
Not that this is remotely the right time period but my 3x great grandfather worked in the Conventry Cross pub in St Leonards Street as a Landlord in 1871. Anyone have any photos of what this pub became?
Hi Vic Alvin Martin was and still is a great friend of ours he always popped in occasionally as did Trevor Brooking and most of the West Ham players. The outside photo of The Tuns does now way give justice to the inside once we refurbished it. Great times and wonderful customers
Hello Sara,
There are loads of Derelict East End Pub sites, but I could not find anything either unfortunately, all it said was Demolished, so your best bet is to post on this page to see if anybody has a photograph they can share with you because as I am sure that you discovered the pub is listed on the websites but sadly no photographs.
Best of luck sorry to not be able to help you myself.
Barrie
The Geezers Club
Hi can anyone help me. I’m looking for info on The Lord Raglen Midlothian road. My nan and grandad were the public and in the 60’s n 1966 when my parents got married they also lived there. I’d love to be able to get my mum a picture but am struggling to find anything.
TIA
Hi John, can I ask you to contact Vic from Subway Sect, we are putting together a newsletter with some anecdotes about Bob Ward Jnr. and would love to use this if that is ok with you, cheers, Mandy
Our family used to have great nights in the Tuns . At that time during the 60’s and and seventies it was owned by Pat and Tommy Sands … .Maureen and Terry took over from them..
Great characters used to drink in there .. including my uncle Len Booty, his mate Joe , Johnny Glass and Jimmy the Barber … Jimmy went on to run the Earl Grey and the Marquis of Cornwallis in Bethnal Green.
Good memories of those times .
Hi I lived at 18 Lamprell St
There used to be two cottages behind the Rose and Crown, down the alley.
My mum lived there during the war.
My grandad played darts in the pub.
His name was George Sykes. My mum’s name is Eileen, she’s 90 now.
Hi Annie, thanks for writing in. I can’t see it on Old Ford Road in the 1930s street directories. But I did find a Coborn Wharf just south of the railway, east of the bus garage in 1939. The pub next door was called the Five Bells then. Everything changed when the A102M was built to the Blackwall Tunnel in the late 1960s obliterating this area.
I also found a Lady Franklin between Usher and Parnell Roads at 381 Old Ford Road.
Hello. Anybody know about a pub called the Lady Coborn which was apparently on Old Ford Road, number 740. Which I think is now Wick Lane. I suspect it went during or after the last war. Any information gratefully received.
Jimmy Fagg played in the Imperial.
Alvin lodged in the Tuns when he came to Westham. Terry and Maureen were great hosts.
Hi jason ,
my great grandmother and grandfather used to working at the old three colts 450 old ford road in the 1950s..I cant find the photo but why i cant find photo of the pub .
Hi Robert,
This is a website rather than a social media site. We get people trying to post scams and rubbish from all around the world. Some of it’s from Russia, in Russian, others look like arabic. I’ll email you directly so you can send me stuff. You can post directly to the Where’s my boozer gone? Facebook group.
Alan T