Two publicans have reopened The Bear pub in Camberwell – six years after the historic boozer unexpectedly closed its doors.
Teddy Roberts, 28, and Joe Sherratt, 43, who welcomed their first customers on Friday, May 5, said they couldn’t pass up the “perfect” pub.
By securing a late licence until 2am, Teddy hopes to create “a New York atmosphere”. “I want this to be a spot where people can sit down, relax and drink until 1 o’clock in the evening… more like a New York atmosphere in a British pub,” he said.
He added: “We found this site, looked around, and it was just perfect. We didn’t really know what the offering was going to be but we knew the site was so beautiful with the windows, the tiles and the bar.”
The Victorian-era pub shut in late 2017 after its previous landlords closed the building to convert the upper floors into flats.
To the dismay of regulars, a planned relaunch in 2018 never materialised.
Teddy has managed clubs and bars for years but met Joe while working as a chef at his Brixton restaurant Naughty Piglets.
The pair wanted to embark on a new venture and bought The Bear in February.
In November 2020, the pub was listed as an Asset of Community Value meaning local residents get priority bidding rights if the property is sold.
Luckily, Joe and Teddy live in Denmark Hill and Brixton respectively. “I think that’s why we got to the top of the pile when we were proposing for the lease,” said Teddy.
“We want local pubs run by local people and having the two owners behind the bar every night for at least the first year… is a really special thing.”
The pub has a late licence until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays but, for now, the pub will close at 1am on those days.
There are nine lines running lager, Guinness and an ale – plus a huge wine selection supplied by renowned wholesaler Les Caves de Pyrene.
The walls are lined with artworks and there is a light airy backroom that groups can book out – and could later host mini art exhibitions.
Eventually, Teddy and Joe plan to convert the space into a kitchen and countertop dining experience – where you watch the chefs cooking your food.
They will serve food similar to that sold at Naughty Piglets – modern seasonal dishes described by the Michelin guide as “fresh, tasty and well-priced”.
More than 150 pubs closed for good in England and Wales in the first three months of this year but Teddy says there is too much “doom and gloom”.
“I can see twelve pubs shutting a week in rural areas but not in central London – touch wood,” said Teddy.
It’s been a time of huge change for pubs in Southwark recently. The Ship in Borough reopens in roughly two weeks and the Old Justice in Bermondsey is back open for business.
But in less positive news, according to the Campaign for Real Ale, a charity that campaigns to save pubs from closure – five pubs have closed in Southwark in just over a year.
This did include The Ship, which is now reopening, but there was also The Junction and The Pigeon – both in Camberwell, The Beer Shop London in Nunhead, and the Canopy Beer Company Tap Room in Herne Hill.