This quaint little pub stands at the end of a terrace of artisans cottages, built in the 1860's. Behind its squat timber front, lies a series of narrow bars. The décor is simple and comfortable. It's a working man's pub in what has become a fashionable area and attracts a broad mix of customers.
Young's Brewery who took over the pub, vowed not to alter its character. Once there were plans to pull down the Fox & Hounds. What a tragedy that would have been!
Until 1999, this was perhaps the last pub in London to have a beer licence, which meant it could sell beer and wine, but not spirits. The Beer Act of 1830 allowed any ratepayer to set up a pub in their home, after paying a two guinea fee, and pubs like this sprang up in residential areas. The government believed spirits to be harmful to the lower classes and restricted the number of full licences. Bearing in mind the huge consumption of gin at the time, perhaps they had a point.
paulk, 2008-09-10
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