North London Food & Culture

The Albert in Primrose Hill to reopen this summer

It'll be a drinks-focused boozer with a lovely garden and not a seared scallop in sight, say the owners

Why has lovely corner pub The Albert in the backstreets of Primrose Hill been closed for so long? For the uninitiated, it was the usual story of declining trade, potential redevelopment and then, what with the downturn and Brexit, a slow languishing while nothing happened.

And yet it now has. Yorkshireman Sam Moss is part of small independent pub group Leeds Brewery, who are about to re-open the 1846 watering hole armed with a shiny new booze license. And presumably, lots of craft beers from up north.

“The challenge is getting it back to its rightful place at the heart of its community, something that we are extremely excited about,” he says. “We believe that the character of The Albert is unique amongst the pubs of Primrose Hill, and to that extent we do not plan to make many changes to the interior layout.”

Well, that’s good: it always was a bit of a corker – and something of a useful tucked-away gem, too. Better still, he likes the outdoor space. “Its wonderful garden is a central and massively important part of making the pub a viable and successful business. We hope that we get the balance right between replacing the current conservatory with a more aesthetically pleasing structure that provides the pub with a little extra space, whilst maintaining and encouraging the use of the pub’s important outside area.”


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And fear not, traditional watering-hole lovers, this one will be more Southampton Arms than Bull & Last.

“In terms of operation we see The Albert very much as a proper pub run as a genuine free house. We will not be focusing on food and instead will aim very simply to offer a fantastic and accessible selection of drinks, alongside a great menu of bar snacks all served by amazing and welcoming staff in a wonderful building.”

Cheers to that.

The Albert, Princess Road NW1, opens this summer, date TBC.

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