Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Two more pubs in Croydon town centre have closed their doors, adding to the growing list of local venues shutting down amid rising costs and low footfall.
The most recent bar to close in Croydon is The Market Tavern.
The bar, located at the top of Surrey Street, the town’s ancient street market, was popular with younger patrons who valued its affordable prices. At the end of September, the business decided not to renew the lease for a bar in Stonegate.
Another pub, The Store, which is located just a short walk down South End, has also closed and is looking for a new tenant.
In recent years, this pub has had a number of name changes and makeovers. The Joker, which it shared with a sister pub in Brighton, didn’t last long. Prior to that, it was Bar TXT, Bar R, and Bar Rendezvous, all of which changed names rather quickly.
With a focus on a restaurant that failed to provide high-quality meals in an area of Croydon known as “The Restaurant Quarter,” the managers decided to appeal to a more affluent clientele by raising their rates and getting rid of the cask ale pumps. The store has been known as The Store since 2019.
At what was meant to be the beginning of a series of assessments of the best pub Sunday lunches, Croydon’s top secret shoppers paid a visit to The Store. At the time, co-reviewer Bella Bartock said, “I’ve had better school dinners,” describing how awful the food was.
The local CAMRA branch merely notes, “Closed, future uncertain,” about The Store today. What will happen to the premises is unknown.
The store closed at the same time as Mayor Jason Perry’s “Food Festival,” which was staged on a section of road that now has half as many bars operating as it had before COVID.
It has been suggested by former bar employees that the Market Tavern is being leased for a Tesco Express location. Meanwhile, previous patrons of the pub still have access to a few other nearby drinking establishments: the Spread Eagle, The Ship, and the Green Dragon are all less than two minutes’ walk away.
What is the impact of pub closures on Croydon nightlife and economy?
With popular venues like the Market Tavern and The Store closing down, Croydon’s nightlife has become homogeneous and lacks vibrant options, particularly for younger audiences who enjoyed affordable options. This reduces the amount of socializing spaces and may force individuals to travel to the rest of London for entertainment.
Pubs play a big part in contributing to the local economy, as they provide footfall for shops, restaurants, and entertainment in the surrounding area.
Less open pubs could bring reduced spending in the town centre, damaging the livelihoods of small businesses.