The future of the British pub

The Star still shines in Belgravia

When living in London in the late 80´s and early 90´s, I learned to appreciate the pub, “one of the basic institutions of English life” (George Orwell). Sadly, it appears that the traditional British pub is still and endangered species - up to 25 pubs still close every week.

Fortunately there are some small positive signs, which hopefully will stop the decline of the pub. Some pubs, the so called gastro pubs, are e.g. increasing their popularity by offering delicious food in addition to the traditional  beveridges. Even ordinary pubs tend to pay more attention to the quality of food they are serving.

Last week I was pleased to notice that my old favorite London pub, the Star Tavern in Belgravia, is still as pleasant as it was when I left London in 1994 - and as a matter of fact, the food they serve is even better than then.

The Star, tucked away behind the German embasssy in the middle of mews cottages, has an interesting history. The tavern, now a Grade II listed building, was built when the mews were stables of the nearby Belgravia houses, whose staff and servants the pub served. (Now the fashionable - and expensive - mews cottages are mainly owned and inhabited by millionaires).

According to one source, Billy Hill, who was one of the main players of the 50´s London underworld, was one of the regulars at the Star before he fled to Australia after the attempted murder of his rival Jack ´Spot´ Comer.

It is also thought that the Great Train Robbery (1963) was planned upstairs in the pub.

The Thomas Becket in Canterbury is another nice pub. Also this pub is connected with murder - although it happened already in 1170, when the then Archbishop of Canterbury was killed by four supporters of King Henry.