Latest news with #Elephant&Castle
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I've visited 24,000 boozers on 40 year pub crawl - these are my favourites'
Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK in a 40 year pub crawl quest to visit every CAMRA guide pub Real ale fan Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK. He celebrated his 69th birthday in the Elephant & Castle, at the Black Country Living Museum, in Dudley, as he continued his quest to visit every pub in the CAMRA guide. He has enjoyed a pint in every corner of the UK along with his drinking crew – the Black Country Ale Tairsters – and has even had a pint in pubs on 69 islands around the UK. The retired engineer has travelled over 400,000 miles since he started in 1984 and logs every pub he has visited at his West Bromwich home. He said: 'Every pub is logged, since number one, and I have over 300 lever arch files with photos, cards and a write up of the pubs. I leave a calling card which I have signed by a pub team member to prove I have been in.' In every pub he visits Peter asks the landlord to make a £1 donation to the Midland Air Ambulance and has so far raised over £35,000. He said: 'Some give a quid, some give a tenner, some £20 and some give nowt. But it's a great charity.' Peter started his journey when he and his pals started visiting pubs listed on a map handed out by Wolverhampton based Banks brewery. After visiting 300 pubs in a year they decided to continue. He said: 'It's taken me 41 years but I've now visited 24,000 pubs, but there are still hundreds more to go. We all love our real ale, but we don't overdo it, 'We have visited every single island with a pub around the British Isles, 69 of them. We've been to the Shetlands, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey. It's been a great adventure. I'm going to North Yorkshire next weekend for four days and then Essex after that, so we'll chalk up a few more on the list. Sometimes I'm on my own, but mostly it's a really good crew I travel with. It's brilliant fun. 'We've travelled across Europe too, to the military sites, the Somme, the Maginot line, the British war graves. We learn about the history and we visit the local pubs too, but they don't count on the list. One of the greatest people we found was a guy from World War 2 who used to look after the SAS war graves in France, He was 92 when we met him.' Peter added: 'I love unusual pubs, pubs with something that makes them stand out. Pubs full of character and antiques. We love our real ales but we also try the stouts and milds.' Peter also backed The Mirror 's Save Our Pubs campaign - which calls for a "fighting fund" to help struggling pubs, recognising good pubs are the heart of the community. The campaign is crucial because pub closures have a significant impact on communities, leading to job losses and the loss of important social spaces. More than 400 pubs closed for good in England and Wales last year meaning the number of locals has dropped below 39,000 for the first time. Peter said: 'The local pub is vital in so many areas. You can meet for a chat and a laugh. But the prices are ridiculous now. You can pay £7 for a pint. 'There's the business costs, the taxes, the minimum wage doesn't help. Landlords have to cover the costs and it's a shame so many are closing. The government does need to do more to help.' Peter's top five pubs: Yew Tree Inn, Caulden Staffs: 'You've got to see it to believe it. It's fantastic, full of antiques.' The Mug House, Claines, Worcester: 'A cracking old pub next to a church yard.' The Black Lion, Consall Forge, North Staffs: 'Amazing scenery, next to an old steam railway and canal. It was hard to find, but it's easy now with Sat Nav.' The Rising Sun, Tipton: 'My local, I can't leave that out.' Payton Arms, Stoke Lyne, Oxfordshire: 'A fantastic, unique place. If you like character and cobwebs, this is the one.'
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Downtown bars, restaurants scoring with huge assist from Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets aren't the only ones who are winning amid the NHL club's extended playoff run, which is set to continue with another home whiteout Wednesday night. It's been a boon to certain businesses — bars and restaurants, in particular — while flooding downtown with thousands of hockey fans, boosting energy and morale and showcasing the city to audiences around the world. 'Any time they are winning, there's more confidence and pride in the city,' said Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant at 340 St. Mary Ave., a block south of Canada Life Centre. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' Businesses and fans are gearing up for Game 1 of the Jets' second-round clash with the Dallas Stars, after Sunday's thrilling Game 7, double-overtime win to end the St. Louis Blues' season. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Dwight Benson, general manager of Elephant and Castle on their outdoor patio, which is decorated to promote the Jets during their White-out street parties. Winnipeg will host the first two games — Wednesday and Friday, both starting at 8:30 p.m. — and, if necessary, games 5 and 7. The Jets are in the second round for the first time since 2021. Each home game will see more than 15,000 fans fill the downtown arena, and 5,000 more will cram into whiteout parties on Donald Street. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' –Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Others will watch on screens inside bars or restaurants such as the Elephant & Castle, which has additional staff working on game days. The pub extends its hours when the games have later-than-usual start times. Jets-themed decorations have been put up inside. Shot specials are delivered on a miniature hockey stick. Slogans, including 'Go Jets Go,' and caricatures of Jets players are painted on patio windows outside. They are among dozens of commercial windows painted by artist Rick Eastland since the playoffs began. The Jets' Game 7 win brought an uptick in customers. On Tuesday, he painted windows from about 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before heading to his usual job as a courier. After his shift, he expected to resume painting until 10 p.m. The Jets' run is morphing into a unifying experience for the city, he said. 'The excitement is building,' Eastland said. 'It's transitioning into something the community rallies around.' At Devil May Care Brewing Co., business has been brisk during home and away game watch parties. The brewery and taproom, at 155-A Fort St., had to ramp up beer production due to increased sales. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Devil May Care co-owner Colin Koop at his brewery at 155-A Fort St., which is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming Jets home games. 'We're brewing faster than we normally would right now,' co-owner Colin Koop said. The taproom is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming home games. Koop said Winnipeggers can sometimes 'get down' on the city as a whole, so he's pleased to see people so enthusiastic. The Jets' home playoff games have had evening puck drops, when most retail stores near the arena are closed. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism.' –Aimee Peake, owner of Bison Books Aimee Peake, who owns Bison Books at 424 Graham Ave., said she hopes the rise in foot traffic will help people discover businesses such as hers. 'I do think that people coming downtown, who don't normally come downtown, for the whiteout parties and the excitement that's going on are becoming familiar with the area, and might walk by,' she said. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism. This gives us two reasons to rally and support each other, and get together and celebrate some of the things that we identify with.' Kate Fenske, executive director of the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone, said some fans are discovering businesses they weren't aware of. 'Overall, it's a huge win for businesses as the Jets keep winning, which we hope they do,' she said. Businesses and staff are focusing on providing great service because they want customers to return in the future, Fenske said. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's enviro team is paying special attention to litter pickup, storefront pressure-washing and other tasks to get the area looking 'as best as we possibly can get it,' she said. Downtown resident Gary Jarvis has noticed cleaner and, on game nights, far busier streets, which he was encouraged to see. 'A lot of people are around, which is a good thing,' he said. 'Sometimes around this area, after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., it's no man's land.' Jarvis said he hopes the experience changes perceptions about downtown safety and brings more attention to social issues in the area. A long playoff run could bring long-term benefits to the city. Economic Development Winnipeg's aim is to attract visitors, investments, conferences and events. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up 'How our city is perceived by those clients, by those decision-makers, the Jets' playoff run has an impact on putting Winnipeg on the map,' said Natalie Thiesen, the agency's vice-president of tourism. 'It allows us to facilitate those positive conversations about what makes Winnipeg a great place to invest, to visit, to meet. 'It allows us to spark a conversation about… our people, the pride and excitement, and how passionate Winnipeggers are not just about hockey, but the arts and other elements that make our community great.' Economic Development Winnipeg hired 10 social media content creators from key markets in Canada and the U.S. to promote the city during the playoffs. The posts had more than 58 million views and an 'earned media' value of almost $2 million, Thiesen said. Chris Kitching Reporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press . He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press 's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press 's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Winnipeg Free Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Downtown bars, restaurants scoring with huge assist from Jets
The Winnipeg Jets aren't the only ones who are winning amid the NHL club's extended playoff run, which is set to continue with another home whiteout Wednesday night. It's been a boon to certain businesses — bars and restaurants, in particular — while flooding downtown with thousands of hockey fans, boosting energy and morale and showcasing the city to audiences around the world. 'Any time they are winning, there's more confidence and pride in the city,' said Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant at 340 St. Mary Ave., a block south of Canada Life Centre. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' Businesses and fans are gearing up for Game 1 of the Jets' second-round clash with the Dallas Stars, after Sunday's thrilling Game 7, double-overtime win to end the St. Louis Blues' season. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Dwight Benson, general manager of Elephant and Castle on their outdoor patio which is decorated to promote the Jets during their White-out street parties. Winnipeg will host the first two games — Wednesday and Friday, both starting at 8:30 p.m. — and, if necessary, games 5 and 7. The Jets are in the second round for the first time since 2021. Each home game will see more than 15,000 fans fill the downtown arena, and 5,000 more will cram into whiteout parties on Donald Street. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' –Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Others will watch on screens inside bars or restaurants such as the Elephant & Castle, which has additional staff working on game days. The pub extends its hours when the games have later-than-usual start times. Jets-themed decorations have been put up inside. Shot specials are delivered on a miniature hockey stick. Slogans, including 'Go Jets Go,' and caricatures of Jets players are painted on patio windows outside. They are among dozens of commercial windows painted by artist Rick Eastland since the playoffs began. The Jets' Game 7 win brought an uptick in customers. On Tuesday, he painted windows from about 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before heading to his usual job as a courier. After his shift, he expected to resume painting until 10 p.m. The Jets' run is morphing into a unifying experience for the city, he said. 'The excitement is building,' Eastland said. 'It's transitioning into something the community rallies around.' At Devil May Care Brewing Co., business has been brisk during home and away game watch parties. The brewery and taproom, at 155-A Fort St., had to ramp up beer production due to increased sales. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Devil May Care co-owner Colin Koop at his brewery at 155-A Fort Street which is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming Jets home games. 'We're brewing faster than we normally would right now,' co-owner Colin Koop said. The taproom is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming home games. Koop said Winnipeggers can sometimes 'get down' on the city as a whole, so he's pleased to see people so enthusiastic. The Jets' home playoff games have has evening puck drops, when most retail stores near the arena are closed. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism.' –Aimee Peake, owner of Bison Books Aimee Peake, who owns Bison Books at 424 Graham Ave., said she hopes the rise in foot traffic will help people discover businesses such as hers. 'I do think that people coming downtown, who don't normally come downtown, for the whiteout parties and the excitement that's going on are becoming familiar with the area, and might walk by,' she said. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism. This gives us two reasons to rally and support each other, and get together and celebrate some of the things that we identify with.' Kate Fenske, executive director of the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone, said some fans are discovering businesses they weren't aware of. 'Overall, it's a huge win for businesses as the Jets keep winning, which we hope they do,' she said. Businesses and staff are focusing on providing great service because they want customers to return in the future, Fenske said. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's enviro team is paying special attention to litter pickup, storefront pressure-washing and other tasks to get the area looking 'as best as we possibly can get it,' she said. Downtown resident Gary Jarvis has noticed cleaner and, on game nights, far busier streets, which he was encouraged to see. 'A lot of people are around, which is a good thing,' he said. 'Sometimes around this area, after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., it's no man's land.' Jarvis said he hopes the experience changes perceptions about downtown safety and brings more attention to social issues in the area. A long playoff run could bring long-term benefits to the city. Economic Development Winnipeg's aim is to attract visitors, investments, conferences and events. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up 'How our city is perceived by those clients, by those decision-makers, the Jets' playoff run has an impact on putting Winnipeg on the map,' said Natalie Thiesen, the agency's vice-president of tourism. 'It allows us to facilitate those positive conversations about what makes Winnipeg a great place to invest, to visit, to meet. 'It allows us to spark a conversation about… our people, the pride and excitement, and how passionate Winnipeggers are not just about hockey, but the arts and other elements that make our community great.' Economic Development Winnipeg hired 10 social media content creators from key markets in Canada and the U.S. to promote the city during the playoffs. The posts had more than 58 million views and an 'earned media' value of almost $2 million, Thiesen said. Chris Kitching Reporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press . He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press 's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press 's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seven streets that make south east London come alive - from Deptford to Peckham
South east London may not have pyramids or ancient temples, but its streets are nothing short of legendary. Streets across our corner of the capital form a vibrant patchwork of culture, history, and creativity, reflecting the diversity and energy of the communities that call it home. From the Afro-Caribbean food stalls and rooftop bars of Peckham's Rye Lane to the hipster cool of Deptford High Street, each street tells its own unique story. Whether it's live music in New Cross, independent boutiques in Bellenden Road, or the foodie delights of Camberwell Church Street, these are some of the liveliest and most exciting streets to explore in south east London. 1. Rye Lane (Peckham) Rye Lane is the beating heart of Peckham, a place where old meets new in the best way possible. The street is lined with independent shops, vibrant markets selling fresh produce, and Afro-Caribbean food stalls offering everything from jerk chicken to traditional Ghanaian dishes. It's also home to some of South London's most exciting nightlife, with spots like Peckham Levels, a multi-story cultural hub packed with bars, street food, and creative spaces, and Frank's Café, the legendary rooftop bar known for its killer Negronis and panoramic views of the city. 2. Deptford High Street (Deptford) Deptford High Street is a perfect blend of old-school London charm and edgy creativity. By day, the thriving street market offers everything from fresh seafood to vintage clothing, while the area's independent cafés and bakeries are perfect for a relaxed coffee stop. At night, the street comes alive with buzzing bars like Buster Mantis, a Caribbean-inspired cocktail and music venue, and the ever-popular Job Centre Pub, which keeps the drinks flowing and the atmosphere lively. 3. Walworth Road (Elephant & Castle) A true cultural melting pot, Walworth Road is known for its mix of Latin American stores, international supermarkets, and emerging arts spaces. You can grab an authentic empanada, shop for West African spices, or check out the street's changing face as new cafés and creative spaces pop up alongside traditional family-run businesses. While Elephant & Castle has seen major redevelopment, Walworth Road still retains much of its multicultural spirit, with venues like Mercato Metropolitano - a sprawling food market - offering a taste of the area's diverse flavours. 4. Bellenden Road (Peckham) If Rye Lane is the energetic, fast-paced side of Peckham, Bellenden Road is its calm, artsy sibling. Known for its independent boutiques and stylish eateries, this street has an upscale but welcoming feel. Ganapati, a South Indian restaurant, is a must-visit for its fragrant curries and dosas, while Artusi serves up modern Italian dishes with a regularly changing menu. 5. New Cross Road (New Cross) Thanks to Goldsmiths University, New Cross Road has a young, vibrant energy with a strong music and arts scene. Iconic live music venues like The Amersham Arms regularly host up-and-coming bands, while Venue MOT keeps the underground rave culture alive with late-night DJ sets. 6. Camberwell Church Street (Camberwell) Foodies flock to Camberwell Church Street for its unbeatable mix of restaurants, ranging from authentic Caribbean takeaways to high-end dining spots. The Camberwell Arms is a local favourite for its refined take on British pub classics, while places like Silk Road serve up mouth-watering Xinjiang cuisine. The street is also home to South London Gallery, a key player in London's contemporary art scene, making it a go-to destination for those who love both good food and good art. 7. Lordship Lane (East Dulwich) One of south east London's most polished streets, Lordship Lane is a dream for those who love independent shops, cozy cafés, and gastropubs. You'll find stylish brunch spots, organic grocery stores, and old-school butchers alongside buzzing bars like The East Dulwich Tavern (EDT). Restaurants like Franklins champion locally sourced ingredients, while the nearby Dulwich Picture Gallery adds a touch of history and culture to the area.
