With an average of four pubs closing in London and the south east every week, the Guardian is launching an awareness campaign highlighting the importance of public houses to our local communities. Here Zac Norman kicks off the campaign and finds out what one pub is doing to continue to pull in its regulars.

 

A pub owner who had never poured a pint before leasing Ye Olde Rose and Crown in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, five years ago has praised the pub’s community atmosphere and upstairs theatre for its success.

Bun Constantinou, 57, one of five people who run the pub, none of whom had poured a pint before leasing it, said they were different to normal pubs and even admitted the pub was originally a secondary idea after prioritising the in-house theatre.

The pub enjoys a reputation as a popular and friendly community pub – even offering a book corner for children.

Mr Constantinou said: “We wanted to make it as much as possible a community pub.

“We take a big interest in our customers, we want them to enjoy being here and we try to be as accommodating as possible.

"A pub is a public house and we are therefore inviting people into our 'front room.’”

He said a combination of things had helped the pub reach its five year anniversary under the present management on March 26 and they now hoped to renew the lease for at least another ten years.

A busy rotation of theatre – including two in-house production companies, live music, a resident folk club, comedy clubs and pop-up restaurants attracts pub-goers who can bring their dogs and children, for whom toys and books are provided – mother’s groups even frequent the pub during the day.

With over 3,500 followers on Facebook and Twitter Mr Constantinou also uses social media to advertise upcoming events and productions.

He said he could advertise in the pub windows but with Twitter he noticed a lot of people send the message all over the place.

The pub’s hospitality even goes as far as offering a local homeless man, Sundrum, who had been frequenting the pub for years before the current managers took over, a regular seat in the corner and tea when he likes. 

Sundrum is supported not only by the owners and staff but also by the customers.