Trio aim to make historic 19th century boozer ‘most inclusive pub in London’
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A pub dating back to the 19th century has been reopened with the managers hoping it eventually becomes the “most inclusive pub in London”.
The Star of Greenwich has opened in Old Woolwich Road, East Greenwich.
The historic boozer, originally called the Star and Garter, had been closed since August 2021, before reopening as the new pub at the end of April this year.
James Gadsby Peet, 38, started the new pub alongside Kirsty Donohoe and Lisa Dunlop. He said that the trio sought to reopen the pub when Ms Donohoe described it as an “asset of community value,” and they realised the opportunities the space had as a meeting spot.
Mr Gadsby Peet said: “Our theory, I suppose, is that the more people that can meet one another, who wouldn’t normally meet one another, the more conversations, the more understanding there is, the better that helps the community be more resilient and just a nicer place to be.”
The pub managers have set themselves the challenge of becoming the “most inclusive pub in London”.
Mr Gadsby Peet said that since opening, the charity English for Action London has been allowed to use the space free of charge, with parents being able to leave their kids in the children’s play area while they learn English.
Mr Gadsby Peet said: “A lot of the people that are trying to learn English are young parents, and so they can bring their kids whilst they have those conversation classes. It’s a safe space for them.
The pub also hopes to work with a number of food-related charities down the line to help train individuals to get into the catering industry.
Mr Gadsby Peet said the pub plans on offering food at non-fixed prices so that any resident can afford lunch.
Kirsty Donohoe, 44, said that giving people a safe place to eat is a priority for her and the other managers.
Ms Donohoe said: “We’ve got a lot of food banks, obviously, because of the current climate that we have.
“But then also people living in London could be in a room where they can’t cook for themselves and they’re either having to eat out or they’re having to buy sandwiches and things like that. [The Star of Greenwich] is making an area that people can feed themselves.”
The managers said the landlord, Greenwich Hospital Trust, has been very supportive of the initiative.
A Greenwich Hospital Trust spokesman said: “The lease to the Star of Greenwich is on commercial terms. Greenwich Hospital (together with their managing agents, Knight Frank) is proud of our track record of working in partnership with local occupiers to get exciting new ventures off the ground, and we are delighted to see retail businesses open and thrive in the Greenwich community.”
Pictured top: James Gadsby Peet, 38, and Kirsty Donohoe, 44, outside The Star of Greenwich community pub (Picture: Joe Coughlan)