Against the odds, London pubs now among city’s top eateries

With Thai food its specialty, you wouldn't guess that The Churchill Arms in Kensington is an English pub that dates back to 1750. (Image: The Churchill Arms)

Bloomberg

Sun, 20 Oct 2024

By Bill KnottUK pubs are in a well-documented crisis, threatened by the high cost of everything from staffing and rent to utilities and beer to proposed legislation banning smoking in pub gardens. In 2023, 769 pubs went bankrupt, according to accounting firm Price Bailey; now, the company’s most recent data says 11% of UK pubs are at risk of closing.But a clutch of London operators are not only bucking the trend – they’ve also created buzzy, thriving destinations. By setting up shop in wealthy neighbourhoods and offe...

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