South Norwood’s The Jolly Sailor set to reopen after two-year closure
By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
A South Norwood pub that has stood empty for more than two years is set to reopen in January.
A £500,000 revamp of The Jolly Sailor on the corner of the High Street is now under way.
It closed down in March 2020 and is expected to reopen by the end of January 2023 under the ownership of Heineken owned Star Pubs and Bars.
The pub will be managed by Pól Corrigan and Rossa Ó Muineóg, with six new jobs on offer.
The friends of 20 years have a passion for ska and reggae and want to host live music, activities and events.
They also want to open up the pub as a meeting space for organisations and host charity fundraisers for good causes nominated by regulars.
Pól was a manager at The Two Bridges in London Bridge while Rossa has experience running historic London tours and museum experiences and events.
Both are from Ireland and Rossa lives in South Norwood while Pól will be moving to the neighbourhood ahead of the pub’s opening.
Rossa said: “Pól and I have been friends for over twenty years, and it has always been our dream to run a pub of our own, so we’re thrilled to be taking on The Jolly Sailor.
“It is South Norwood’s most historic pub dating back to 1810.
“It was once so iconic that the nearby Norwood Junction Station was originally called Jolly Sailor Station.
“We are really looking forward to putting the pub back at the heart of the community where it belongs.”
And Pól added: “The Jolly Sailor perfectly located on the High Street, a short walk from Norwood Junction Station and Selhurst Park, and so ideal for drinks before and after Crystal Palace matches. We’re also looking forward to building links with the nearby arts centre and residents to bring in the entire community.”
The refurbishment of the pub will see seats inside increased from 31 to 54 and a 75 inch television installed in the pub garden which will have seating for 40.
Pictured top: Pól Corrigan and Rossa Ó Muineóg (from left) will run The Jolly Sailor in South Norwood (Picture: Star Pubs & Bars)
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Cue Croydon’s second venue to sell £8 pints. So yawn. Very bored. White people pretending to like prole music so they can gentrify a minority ethnic neighbourhood is so rude. They will get bored and leave after two years, on to the next folly funded by Daddy.