Peacock, London

14 Dec 2024 - from a local reporter, "This pub has been keg only for a very long time now. Yesterday I rechecked and this time spoke to the manager who said they have no plans to stock cask-conditioned beer. That's probably correct as there is a large number of keg dispensers across the bar front and its hard to see where a real ale dispenser could be fitted."

From an email - "We are closing on the 19th August, but don't worry, we have decided to bring back an historic icon. From 1562 until 1962, a pub called The Peacock stood on this site and we have decided to refurbish and rename ourselves to The Peacock.

The Peacock will be a modern British pub and kitchen, with an extended street-side terrace to catch the remainder of the summer sun.

July 2023 - Reopened under new name, they have maintained much of the old layout, and it looks spick-and-span, which is good. There may well be loud music when you visit. Needless to say, much higher prices.

19/06/23 - from Propel - Urban Pubs & Bars secures ex-JD Wetherspoon site in Islington:London operator Urban Pubs & Bars has secured its third site in as many weeks, after securing an ex-JD Wetherspoon pub in Islington. Propel has learned the circa 40-strong business has acquired The Angel in Upper Street to reopen as The Junction. The site is set to undergo a five-week refurbishment programme and will be opening as one of Urban Pubs & Bars’ “modern British pubs”, similar in style to its previously converted Wetherspoon site, The Cyclist, in Balham. This venue is yet to be listed on the Urban Bars website.

The Angel was built on the site of Angel Picturehouse (1929), it became pub in 1992. The adjacent tower was also a part of the picture house that was sadly mostly demolished, being one of the first talkie cinemas. With the long gone Philharmonic Hall (subsequently the Grand Theatre) this has always been a centre of popular entertainment. Apparently, its classic columns and caryatids can be seen in the Museum of London. John Betjeman lived nearby as he wrote in his poem Summoned by Bells. It is a large, modern, open plan conversion, with some booths, giving slightly more privacy, towards the back. The pub sits virtually opposite the Angel tube station.

Following CAMRA's updated definition of "real cider", pubs such as this selling for example Old Rosie and other ciders such as Thistly Cross, Stans, Gwynt Y Draig, Broadoak etc. no longer qualify for the "Real cider" tag.