The Ten Bells

[j.r-ahde]

Hello Jenni L!

Your talks remind me of spring 2007, visiting The Ten Bells in London!

When I was wondering, if I could take some photos, the bartender said: "Nevermind, we have got used to this!" Of course meaning the Ripper touristis...

A bit later some person told on these boards, that the staff was angry about taking photos in The Ten Bells. If I remember correctly, the owner had changed and the policy with him...

All the best
Jukka

[WARSPITE]

[QUOTE=John Bennett;93824]Hi Jenny,

the current management/staff have little or no interest in that side of its history and the pub has been stripped of all the paraphenalia in an effort to transform it into the sort of boozer that appeals to the trendy, arty crowd that now flock into the area (whether they actually live in the area or not). It has been 'rediscovered'.

I suppose they can now afford to weed out the Ripper tourists as it's busy enough already. 20 (or even 10) years ago it wasn't the case.

John,youre spot on as always.
I suppose Im a little grateful that during its rediscovery they havent gutted the place, including the tiled walls, and fittings etc, and covered it with hideous chic urban paraphenalia to attract the new inhabitants. But youve nailed it when you say they can now obviously afford to reject ripperology now, a situation that perhaps the landlords of the 70s/80s couldnt contemplate. My guess is they wouldnt have wanted to anyway, and that,despite the controversial things that happened in the mid1980s, the landlords still appreciated the pubs undeniable links(whether myth or not) with history.
I agree with you John, that I dont think a return of all the paraphernalia is necessary. But the owners could still ensure their staff respected the history of the place, and respected and welcomed customers interested in its history.
When I have enough money to buy the place, Im havin a big party and youre all invited.
Pete

[Cubitt]

First post in a while.

I last went to the Ten Bells in summer 2008. I'd cycled there from where I live in SE London and had arranged to meet friends in the Ten Bells. I'd decided to change out of my cycling gear and into my normal clothes in the loos.

For some reason I still went ahead with this, even after I'd seen the state of the gents cubicle. I remember having to cram all my clothing on top of the tiny sink and balancing myself on one shoe as I got changed (as the loo had no seat and the floor was swimming in p*ss). Looking back now I'm mystified why I didn't just find somewhere else that was cleaner! I also remember my dismay as I was almost successfully changed (still teetering on one shoe) when I ended up dropping my sock on the floor and watched it as it quickly absorbed all the liquid sloshing about.

[John Bennett]

Cubitt,

What a terrific story (though it may not have seemed like it at the time). Straight out of 'One Foot In The Grave' or 'Mr.Bean'.

Looking back now I'm mystified why I didn't just find somewhere else that was cleaner!

Like Itchy Park!

[Cubitt]

Yes, it felt like a darkly comic moment, even at the time. I think it's the standing on top of a shoe, on one foot through out that did it.

Needless to say, the tainted sock was immediately binned (sockrificed?).

[ken]

I feel i may have been misunderstood somewhat in my previous post. I wasn't in anyway suggesting that the Bells should return to the theme pub it was when named Jack The Ripper in the 70's, the beef i had was that the pub is now purposefully ignoring it's local history and speaking as someone who is in the age bracket that this current landlord is aiming at i personally would not be offended with a lick of paint and a bit of pride in a Pub that, judging by this forum, is of interest to a lot of people. He's basically walked up and down Hoxton Sq and Old street and noticed that the most 'cool' pubs have stripped everything out and gone for this 'taxi rank look' then applied this to the Bells. But he's clearly doing Ok i hear you say but like i said before i don't think the interior matters to most people. You only have walk 50 meters up the road to the White Hart which is as beautifully kept as it has always been and full of the same crowd that booze in the Bells

[AdamWalsh]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-Barnett-Painting-WWII-Jack-the-Ripper-Ten-Bells-1944_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem3ef6e0c53eQQitemZ270429898046QQptZArtQ5fPaintingsQQsalenotsupported