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Pub preservation
byMark Hoile
Princess Louise, Holborn
An Aladdin's Cave of jewelled splendour could very easily be
the description given by a first time visitor to the Princess
Louise. This Grade II listed pub situated at 208 High Holborn,
has a warm inviting and lavish interior of which the unassuming
exterior gives little clue.
Built in 1872 and named after the fourth daughter of Queen
Victoria who had married the Duke of Argyll the previous year,
the pub interior has retained most of its original features.
The present building hosts one very large drinking area with
an oval central bar, surrounded by walls of both etched and
stained glass, combined with an ornate ceiling. The interior
was designed by Arthur Chitty, with glass work by R. Morris
and Son of Kensington, and tiling by Simpson and Son of St.
Martins Lane (1). At the end of the present bar can still be
seen the original publican's office from which beer used to
be served by waiters before the main bar was built. The bar
itself is a marvel of joinery by W.H. Lascelles and Co.,
builders and fitters of public houses (1), and features a
period clock, and lamps as an interesting centre piece along
with elaborate carvings and mirrors. The ceiling reveals the
line of an earlier passageway which led from a separate
entrance into the bar. Downstairs the gentlemen's toilet is
also worthy of inspection and is itself listed, unlike the
ladies toilet which was a later addition to the pub. The
upstairs 'Coach Room' is now a large second bar and is used
for regular functions throughout the week.
Samuel Smith Brewery of Tadcaster took over the pub in 1997 and
this is now one of the few central London outlets of Old Brewery
Bitter on draught dispense, with the beer served in superb
condition direct from oak casks in the cellar. The licensee
Tim Buck is devoted to the pub and justifiably proud of the
building's uniqueness, which combines well with the beer,
ambience and efficient staff. An extensive food menu and OBB at
£1.64 a pint (at the time of writing), ensure that the Princess
Louise is always very popular.
(1) Girouard, M. 1984. Victorian Pubs Yale University Press.
By Mark Hoile
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 7.
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