The Salisbury

The Salisbury is a Grade II* listed pub on Grand Parade in Harringay, north London.

History

The Salisbury was built and designed by John Cathles Hill, founder of The London Brick Company. The pub was opened in 1899 with W.A. Cathles, a cousin of Hill, as the manager. Its construction cost of £30,000 cite book|last = Schwitzer |first=Joan|title=”A London Developer: John Cathles Hill, 1857 - 1915", Hornsey Historical Society Bulletin, 40|publisher=Hornsey Historical Society|year=2002 (issn: 0955 8071)] is the equivalent of something like £7 million pounds at 2008 values. [ [http://www.measuringworth.com/index.html measuringworth.com] provides a range of values for the worth of £30,000 in 1899 at 2008 prices. These vary widely depending on which criterion is used. The following values are given: £2,321.04 using the retail price index; £2,859.58 using the GDP deflator; £12,536.58 using average earnings; £14,516.90 using per capita GDP; £21,552.29 using GDP]

It caused something of a stir when it opened being described by the trade journal, "The Licensed Victualler and Catering Trades' Journal" in the most glowing terms:

Sadly by the late 20th century the pub had become very dilapidated and had developed a reputation as a place you didn't go if you liked your teeth. This however, may have been its saving grace as much of its original features have been retained. In 2003 it was sympathetically restoredunder the guidance of Papa Architects.

In 2008, beer and architecture experts Geoff Brandwood and Jane Jephcote, selected The Salisbury as one of London's top ten heritage pubs in their book, "London Heritage Pubs - An Inside Story". [cite book|last = Brandwood & Jephcote|first = Geoff & Jane|title = London Heritage Pubs - An Inside Story|publisher = CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale) Books| month = July | year = 2008| isbn =: 978-1-85249-247-2]

Architectural details

roof has a high central tower topped with a wrought-iron crown. The pub has three stories and attic. Polished black larvikite Corinthian pilasters support the fascia. The entrances have ornate wrought-iron screens above imposts, with elaborately tiled lobbies and mosaic floors.

The pub's interior was described by the architectural historian Mark Girouard as "a magnificently elaborate and complete interior".cite book|last = Girourad|first = Mark|title = Victorian Pubs|publisher = Yale University Press|year = 1984|isbn = :978-0300032017]

On the first floor there is a large room at the front which was in the past used as a restaurant and concert room. It has an elaborate, compartmented ceiling with ornate fibrous plasterwork, all by the Mural Decoration Company. There is also notable engraved glass by Cakebread & Robey in the doors separating off the residential part of the building. This floor is now used as a church [ [http://www.alivechapel.com/uk.html Alive Chapel International] ]

The bar area has a compartmented ceiling with cast-iron columns. There is a large curved wooden bar with a stone trough at its base. This bar is a complete rectangle serving all parts of the huge space. The saloon and public bars are divided by an wooden arched screen containing glass engraved with Art Nouveau motifs. At the rear is the former billiard room, now a restaurant, with top-lit roof glass painted with a creeping vine motif. There are many elaborate engraved mirrors, some stained-glass windows and fire surrounds.

This level of original detailing led to The Salisbury's interior being chosen as a location for the 1992 film "Chaplin".

Gallery

fretwork above south west entrance
Larvikite column with ornate capital

External links

* [http://www.camranorthlondon.org.uk/fullpint/fp1806.html CAMRA North London - Salisbury profile]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2570177 BBC - Salisbury profile]
* [http://www.harringayonline.com/ Harringay online] - website for Harringay residents awarded a "Special Judges' Commendation" at the [http://ukcatalystawards.com/ Catalyst Awards] 2008.

References