Pub 2408 p14-15 Local 21/10/09 17:29 Page 14
14 Monday 26/10/09 thePublican www.thepublican.com
This Week The Publican Local
Camden crawl
With its bustling markets, links to popular culture and busy night life, Camden Town
is one of the most visited places in the capital. But how are its pubs faring? Matt
Eley reports
FEW PLACES have been immune to its own entertainment as well as the feet of several large tower blocks.
the recession over the past 12 months bigger venues down the road. “We are “The smoking ban started it off and
or so, but some pubs are still thriving. based near (music venue and club) ever since it has been tough with
Take Camden Town, for instance. Koko, which has some big acts, and supermarket prices, the price of beer
The North West London tourist we are the first real pub on the way and people just not having any
hotspot draws people there,” assistant manager Dan Goodall money,” he said.
from across the world, explains. “We get some great comedi- So, despite displaying a veneer of
wanting the latest fash- ans and are really proud of the music being recession-proof, Camden Town
ions from the flea we put on. is really not that different from any
markets and eager to “The recession has not been bad for other community in the country.
spot the places made us and we are actually seeing an Yes, it has the benefit of attracting
famous by the upturn in trade. Unlike some other tourists and a lively arts scene, allow-
movies, or places in London, Camden has ing pubs to survive that might have
featured in songs. benefited because the weak pound folded in a different environment.
And, as you has attracted more tourists.” But those that are thriving are the
would expect of a place synonymous In some cases, Camden is bucking ones that diversify, consider their
with popular culture, Camden Town the trend on a wider London scale. offer and make sure they are giving
boasts dozens of pubs. The paths to the capital’s pubs are customers what they want. ■
In fact, make that scores, because not paved with gold. Just take a
on a pub crawl from Mornington walk around the East End and • Next stop: Leeds.
Crescent in the south, up past those that have diversified – offering you’ll see many once-thriving If you would like us to visit your pub,
Camden Town Tube station and north more than just the traditional pub local pubs now boarded up. email us at news@thepublican.com
towards Primrose Hill, you remain experience. But this sad trend is apparent in
in the NW1 postcode area and can You won’t find many with post Camden Town too. A few roads away
easily clock up a half-century of office services, but they are more from the main drag towards the The Publican Local
watering holes. likely to take advantage of their func- housing estates it is evident that NW1
These range from uber-cool music tion rooms by staging music, comedy is also contributing to the fabled 52 Get more news and views from
venues, packed with youngsters sport- – or in some cases full-scale theatrical closures a week. London and the surrounding area
ing skinny jeans and silly haircuts, to productions. Licensee Michael McLoughlin said in the London section at
spit-and-sawdust traditional boozers. The Camden Head, for example, the last year has been the toughest in www.thepublican.com/local
But the ones that are thriving are benefits from customers attracted to his 17 at the Parrs Head, which sits at
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