The rocky global economy is hitting Britain where it really hurts. In the pub. Nearly 60 traditional pubs are closing every month. The World's Alex Collins looked around his neighborhood in Hackney in northeast London. (photos:Alex Collins)
Of the many pubs that I have visited in my neck of the woods, The Prince Arthur has to be one of the best and it seemed the obvious starting point for my pub tour. With its cozy wooden interior and traditional ales on sale it's the perfect place to stop after the stresses of the day in central London. The exterior decoration complements the traditional feel that exists inside.
The sign hanging outside, despite being recently redesigned represents a gesture to authenticity. Traditional pub signs often had no text, words were an unnecessary adornment. The image was key. At the Prince Arthur the image on the sign is delightful. Arthur casts a regal glace, flanked by two soldiers with their resplendent uniforms......
I was hoping to find other pubs which would prove that the local with its traditional signs and ales was thriving.
Listen to Laura Lynch's pub report
The next stop on my tour was The Elderfield which has been recently redecorated. It's quite tastefully done with hanging baskets brimming with poppies and old wooden benches but what was glaringly obvious was the pub sign had been painted over with a solid block of grey paint. I enjoyed my pint and the atmosphere was convivial but I couldn't help feel that something was missing. When resting my pint on the bar, I looked around at the interior. The cosiness of the Prince wasn't there. The furniture felt too new and there was no lively banter.
Moving on we stumbled on the Lord Cecil pub. Despite being painted in all his finery Cecil stared miserably down at me. He had good reason to be upset. The Lord Cecil is just one of many pubs in the area that have closed down. When I discuss the issue with friends they often say it was the growth of chain pubs which are to blame for the closure of places like the Lord Cecil. With "chain pubs" you can guarantee that you'll get a certain level of service, and the generic interiors will look elegant but not cozy and unique. As I looked upon the Lord Cecil with it's boarded up windows I hoped that other pubs in my local area would not suffer the same fate.
My World: what's your pub experience?
The Inn Sign Society
