A pub-mad Londoner who has visited 951 boozers around the capital has shared the sad “biggest change” he’s noticed on his woozy journey.
Robin Lovechild, 54, runs the Pubs of London Instagram account dedicated to recording and photographing the Big Smoke’s watering holes. He’s been to almost 1,000 now and has plotted them on an impressive interactive map of the city.
With lovely pictures that make you thirsty just looking at them, Robin is a pub lover of the highest order with a clear appreciation for the visuals and feel that make the UK’s public house culture so special.
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He’s spoken to the Daily Star where he shared the biggest things he’d seen change during his mission – and while some were positive or simply signs of the times, one in particular is the the kind of heartbreaking statement no pub-lover wants to hear.
(Image: Google Maps)
“[The] rise of craft beer is a clear trend in the last few years,” he said. “Some new-builds have been designed to include covered smoking areas – like architects have worked around an issue affecting older pubs. But the biggest change is the loss of pubs. They’re closing at an alarming rate.”
He discussed the seemingly relentless creep of the price of a pint, noting: “Cost of living crisis has hit pubs hard. The government has contributed significantly to the loss of a key part of British heritage.”
(Image: pubsof.london/Instagram)
On a more positive note, Robin shared with the Star his favourite area and revealed two of his preferred boozers. “Borough has some great pubs and I love The Market Porter,” he said.
“I organised a get-together there as soon as it opened up after the London Bridge attacks – wanted to support the area. Doggetts by Blackfriars Bridge has great views of the river.”
He isn’t all gooey-eyed over every boozer in the city, however. “I’ve been into a few pubs that are pretty crap,” he explained. “It was good to see one had improved significantly last time I was there but Parrs Head in Camden – now closed, unsurprisingly – was one of the worst – bit smelly and more like someone’s front room than a public house.”
(Image: pubsof.london/Instagram)
One place in particular stood out to him as a memorable location. “A lovely member of staff at The Prince of Peckham just randomly offered me a tour of the whole place, including all the rooms that weren’t open at the time.”
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