Man of Kent, Nunhead

This basic local is one of many pubs rebuilt by London brewer, Truman’s, between the wars (see their eagle emblem high up on the building). It seems to date from the 1930s and was designed in a (loosely) Neo-Georgian style. It has the faïence facing on the ground floor that was so popular at the time. Paradoxically the interest of the interior lies in its modesty. This guide has many ornate and well crafted interiors. These have had greater chances of survival than simpler schemes which were run up on the cheap and that’s exactly what we have here. The wall panelling is utilitarian ply and the bar counter is very similar although there is a band near the top imitating a more luxurious veneer.

Much of the original layout can still be discerned with an L-shaped serving area with two rooms forming an L-shape on the roadsides and a square room behind (now used for games). The former has a counter for service, the latter a hatch. Other original features are the pretty coloured glazing in the windows, doors in the bar counter and no doubt some of the loose chairs. A more modern (perhaps 1970s) curiosity is the raked bar stools which look as though they ought to defy gravity. A modern travesty (it has to be said) is the louvered screenwork at the bottom of the windows, cheaply made and producing a gloomy sense of secrecy which was never the intention of 1930s pub builders.

Update 2014

The pub underwent refurbishment in 2014 which resulted in the removal of some of the panelling which has adversely affected the interior. The front wall of the L-shaped bar, the dado on the side wall, and the dado in the small rear room are now of bare brick. Also the bar counter fronts have been painted a gastro grey colour as has all the lower bar back shelving, and the fireplace, which is blocked-up.