Pubs near West Ham United’s former Upton Park stadium have lost a huge amount of business since it was bulldozed in 2016, and now locals “wish it would come back.”
Since the famous Boleyn Ground at Upton Park closed six years ago, at least eight in the East London neighbourhood have shut down. More pubs have closed in Newham in the last 20 years than in any other London borough, with landlords saying the stadium’s closure was a huge factor.
Newham lost an astonishing third of its local boozers since 2000 – once staples of the East End’s culture. According to the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA), 103 pubs closed in the East London borough in that time. The pubs that remain around Upton Park say they still enjoy a steady trade from locals, including West Ham fans, but that things are not what they used to be.
Tom Friel has been landlord of The Black Lion Pub near the old Boleyn Ground – now occupied by a huge tower block – for over 35 years. He said he has seen the area transform dramatically, but is still able to drum up enough business.
READ MORE: ‘Rise in drinking at home, threat of developers and challenge to make money’: Understanding why London’s pubs are dying out
Tom Friel has been landlord in Upton Park for 35 years
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
He said: “When I first came here there was a pub on most corners around here – 30 pubs within 20 minutes of here. At the moment you would struggle to find four or five. Over the course of the last 15-20 years there’s been lots of changes in personnel – people have moved out and cashed in on their properties.”
Tom added that the stadium closing down had hugely impacted all the pubs in the area as West Ham fans stopped going to Upton Park for match days. He also said that his own pub had been affected, but still maintains a good trade thanks to having many regulars and being so close to the Tube station.
The famous Boleyn Tavern on Barking Road has recently reopened after closing down as few West Ham fans flocked to the town, while other former popular spots in Upton Park like the Northumberland Arms and The White Horse have also closed.
Pam Scotton of The Queen’s Pub said ‘we all wish’ the stadium would come back
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Pam Scotton has worked in The Queen’s Pub next to Upton Park station for years. The pub used to serve West Ham fans on their way to home matches, and is one of the few still serving local punters.
“What can I say? It’s been pretty boring. The atmosphere has changed,” Pam said. “We get business but it’s not as busy as it used to be. We all wish it came back. It was important for all of us I think – for all of us. Of course I wish they never moved it. People still do come here for the football because they don’t like Stratford.”
West Ham United moved to the multi-million pound London Stadium in 2016. The move increased the club’s capacity by over 30,000 and has paved the way for the squad to challenge for a top-four place in the Premier League.
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The Upton Park pubs that have closed since West Ham left:
The Central, Barking Road – closed in 2017
The White Horse, High Street South – closed in 2017
The Army and Navy, New Barn Street – closed in 2016
Northumberland Arms, Barking Road – closed in 2019
Old Blue Anchor, Whitechapel Road (Bar Indo) – closed in 2019
The Esquire, Barking Road – closed in 2017
The Ruskin Arms High Street North – closed in 2018
East Ham Working Men’s Club, Boleyn Road – closed in 2019
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