The Magdala is to re-open, according to an article in the CNJ
http://camdennewjournal.com/article/after-seven-years-its-the-return-of-the-famous-magdala-tavern
A New Article in the CNJ
The owners may think the problem is the millstone of maintaining the function room – I rather suspect it is the millstone of the unrealistic rent!
The CNJ was the best of the bunch.
In the end Neil’s story about Mary Watson and the bullet holes made news in the Sun, The Telegraph, The Mail, and The Metro, but the best of them was 3 pages, including the front, of the print issue of the CNJ…
Under Ken Wood makes headlines…
Neil Titley’s Under Ken Wood, serialised here, made the front page of the Camden New Journal this week, with his claims that the Ruth Ellis bullet holes on the from of the pub were put there by Mary Watson in the early 90’s.
(I say claims; Neil was there!)
Nice to see the pub back in the news…
The Ham & High – Shock investigation reveals £45million overseas cash invested in our iconic pubs
Are we close to an opening?
Rumour has it that the scaffold is coming down, and that the Magdala will re-open shortly – almost exactly 2 years after is initially closed!
In the meantime, the Guardian had an interesting article on the general plight of London pubs in this property developers feeding frenzy…
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/20/pub-closures-fight-against-developers?CMP=share_btn_link
Fresh Optimism in Ham & High Article
Short on news
The Friends of the Magdala find themselves short on news, but many thanks to Thurston for this link that confirms the hearsay that the pub is being offered at an astronomical price; no wonder the Perret’s washed their hands of it.
Sounds of building work (upstairs?) are now being heard after a long hiatus.
If anyone does have anything concrete in the way of an update, please post it here, or email us.
And now it’s closed again….
VERY BAD NEWS FOR ALL MAG SUPPORTERS.
Received from the Perret brothers on 11th Feb:
February 2016. The Magdala is a wonderful pub so it is with great regret that we have been unable to agree terms & conditions for a long term lease with the building owner. Our doors are closed with immediate effect. A big thank you to those that have supported & visited since we opened last year. The Stag, one of our other pubs, is just round the corner towards Belsize Park tube station. Please do come & say hello, or pop in for a pint, a glass of wine, a pie, a superfood salad or a Sunday roast. Whatever works. Again, thanks for all your support.
We will try to keep you informed, but for the moment, we are in the dark…
FoTM