CHIGWELL: Spotlight on Chigwell pubs (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHIGWELL: Spotlight on Chigwell pubs

8:47pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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THE recession has affected many businesses across the country and the old-fashioned British pub has been among its victims in many areas.

Chigwell has not been immune to the nationwide trend for closures with the Bald Hind, in Hainault Road, shutting its doors for the last time earlier this year, but the village still maintains a collection of historic and popular public houses.

Ye Olde Kings Head, in the High Road, is reputedly 600 years old with famous visitors said to include everyone from Charles Dickens, and Winston Churchill to American director and actor Orson Welles.

The pub is even said to have operated as a covert meeting place for Roundheads during the English civil war with an underground tunnel between itself and St Mary's Church opposite operating as an escape route.

General manager Roger Wormull said: “It's a lovely old pub. Very traditional. We've got regular custom, and it's very well-known. I'd say it's a landmark in the area- people use it as a reference point and a meeting point.

“It's a recession, but business is picking up. Some of the older pubs in the area like The Bald Hind go into tenancies and they don't have enough money to put back into the pub. They're behind the times and the customers expectation these days is a little bit more than they were offering.”

Further down Chigwell High road lies one of the village's newest pubs the King William IV, which has already built up a reputation as a celebrity venue and dining spot.

Deputy manager Mark Way said: “We get a high per centage of regulars. There's very regular trade and a strong community here. Business is good. There's a bit of decline compared to last year but come the summer the place goes mad.

“In some places the recession and smoking ban has affected a lot of businesses but we're more restaurant orientated. We've got a very strong trade here.”

Away from the High Road Chigwell has several pubs of interest.

Among them is The Two Brewers, in Lambourne Road, Chigwell Row, which recently reopened following a refurbishment.

Assistant manager Neil Jennings said: “We get a good mixture of eaters and drinkers. It's been going well. We've got drinkers who come in every other night who live in the village, or just down the road, and regular diners who come down every weekend.

“The recession is not as bad as everyone thinks. If people have arranged to do something they'll still come out for a good time. They might be watching the pennies but they'll still come out and spend.”