The Stoops is Open
Dear friend and, we hope, future guest!
The Blue Stoops opens today on Kensington Church Street, W8. You can book a table in our dining room here. Or just drop into the bar from Noon onwards.
We are quite excited and pray you will tolerate a little back-story.
An Allsopp’s pub will always somehow be rooted in the notion of The Blue Stoops, the Burton-on-Trent inn where my 9-times great grandfather first brewed Allsopp’s Ale in 1730. Described even in the 19th Century as ‘so old no one knows of it having a beginning’, The Blue Stoops then vanished so completely that not so much as an etching of the original exists.
Our duty as custodians of this great Allsopp’s mark has been to strain every creative sinew to re-imagine and re-create that old home of ours as a place which the world can visit to drink our beer and enjoy our hospitality. It is a duty I took on willingly, with pride and excitement.
And now, as of today, The Blue Stoops is open, and it's time for a few acknowledgements and thank-yous to those who were fundamental to its creation. Some of you who have already been in have been kind enough to comment on the warmth and beauty of the interior.
- We were privileged to work with Naomi Doran of Relic Interiors on the design. Naomi was a joy to work with and really ‘got into’ the revival mission!
- Alec Tear deserves enormous praise for his work on the Allsopp’s and Blue Stoops look & feel since the very beginning.
- Chris Hill and Terry McGuirk of Box Construction re-built the pub in a professional and timely manner, and we remain on excellent terms – not something you can say about all builders at the end of a project!
- Ash Bishop of Brilliant Signs made the extraordinary Allsopp’s mirror in the dining room – he is one of, if not the only craftsman left in the country who can make pub mirrors in the traditional way – and he claims this is the largest example to have been produced since the second war.
- All signage inside and outside the pub was hand-painted by Joshua Harris – as well as the Allsopp’s mural behind the bar. A remarkable talent.
- The extraordinary bespoke blue bar-front tiles which bear the Allsopp’s ‘hand’ are from Craven Dunhill of Alderley Edge. They have been making ceramic tiles there since 1872.
- Alex Stileman (Stileman Lighting) is a genius of illumination, and can take credit for the warm, golden atmosphere of the Stoops.
Many others contributed also. Thank you to you all.
And finally, the team. Reader, I hope you are still with me as the best has been saved for last. I am so proud that we have persuaded so many amazing people to work for us.
In the Kitchen, Lorcan Spiteri and Jacob Farley (Exec and Head Chefs respectively) are ruling. Two cooks who are right out of the top drawer with experience at some of the best restaurants in the world. Lorcan and Jake’s food is plain and simply presented, yes, but will also be delicious and of absolute quality in terms of provenance. Ingredients which are a by-word for authenticity (Carlingford oysters, wild fish, traceable meats) will feature prominently. Pub classics like the humble pork scratching will be made from ‘scratch’ and served with pride in the bar. The spirit of traditional English dishes such as steamed puddings will be honoured. As will the food legacy of our messy global history as a mercantile and imperial nation.
And the Front of House… Billy Falconer runs the place – he was legendary GM for years at Mark Hix’s Tramshed. Billy is all Glasgow, and all heart. Hullo chap!
Denis Siniak – an award-winning barman who has found a passion for Allsopp’s Cask Ale at The Blue Stoops. Reka Nagy – in charge of the Dining Room – came from Manteca – seems to have eyes on the back of her head! Huge thanks also to Paul McKenna and Tom Arnold of Red Branch who brought their considerable experience and brainpower to realising our eccentric vision. We could not have got the place open without Nick Gilkinson who has stood in as acting General Manager while we were on the winding path to finding Billy Falconer. Nick has worked his socks off for the Stoops and we are very, very grateful. Thank you, Nick!
Last but not least, thank you Charlie McVeigh. Our ebullient corraller, eminence grise and in house emcee, without whom none of this would have been possible. Thank you so much for your tireless enthusiasm and vast experience. Let’s build another!
See you at the Bar with a pint of something foaming and delicious!
With my best wishes,
Jamie Allsopp, Proprietor