Clapham pub changes name in tribute to one couples love story

There are so many pubs in Clapham, it can be hard to remember the names.

But one couple, Rose Maclachlan and Rory Chisolm won’t have that problem from now on.

They’ve had one named after them – and it was the pub they met in.

They met two years ago at the Rose and Crown on a works bash, after two months working at financial services company, AON.

The pair got talking after Rory accidentally spilled a pint of beer on Rose – and have been together ever since.

And now it’s been renamed after both of them, as part of a campaign to get us all back into boozers at the end of lockdown, backed by model Jodie Kidd.

What would have happened if either of them had gone into the Perky Nel or the Four Thieves?

Certainly, if Rose, 28, had gone to the Duke of Edinburgh, it would have been a bit late in the day.

She said: “The Rose & Crown already had a special place in our hearts but this is a story for the books – I hope we can keep the sign afterwards.

“We’re thankful to Long Live the Local, Jodie Kidd and the Rose & Crown for shining a light on just how special pubs are – after all, Rory and I wouldn’t be together if it wasn’t for the great British pub.”

Maybe if Rory, also 28, had gone instead into the nearby Bread and Roses in Clapham Manor Road, Clapham, he’d have been spoilt for choice.

Jodie, herself a publican 50 miles away near Horsham, launched a new campaign on Monday, Long Live The Local, to champion the important role pubs play at the heart of communities.

The campaign will celebrate that the pubs we love are back but also highlight that we cannot take them for granted. It will call on the government to help pubs and breweries with reform of VAT, beer duty and business rates.

New research shows almost nine in 10 people – or 86 per cent – have formed a special relationship in the pub, whether falling in love, having a first date, making a new friend or meeting a business partner.

To celebrate these real stories, Long Live The Local has renamed the Rose & Crown in Clapham Common to the Rose & Rory.

Jodie shared a pint with the couple after revealing the sign in tribute to their love story.

Rose and Rory aren’t alone with a fifth – 19.7 per cent – of Britons first meeting a romantic partner in the pub, while almost a quarter – 23.3per cent – have had a first date in a pub.

A third also view the pub as a good place to spend time with colleagues.

Almost half of us have worked in a pub at one point in our lives.

But more than 8,200 pubs closed across the UK between 2010-2019 – and 2,360 in the last year.

Jodie said: “We can’t take pubs for granted and that’s why I’m backing Long Live The Local to help our pubs and breweries thrive.”

Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive St Austell added “The last year has been extremely tough for everyone and it is so good to finally see people getting back together and enjoying the company of friends, family and neighbours.

“Pubs across the UK are, as always, ready to play their role in providing a warm welcome with great food, drink and hospitality enabling us to meet up and enjoy all those great moments we have missed so much.”