Earl Spencer

The metaphor of watching your favourite pub burn down is often used to describe something completely different, and yet that is exactly how I felt when I walked into the "revamped" Earl Spencer pub last night, the first time since it re-opened last Thursday under new management.

Our homely, welcoming but slightly dishevelled local, where many an evening had been spent over many years sitting with friends or family eating pints of Atlantic prawns, bavette steaks - or whatever other home cooked meals they came up with on that day...along with the always delicious home baked bread - whilst drinking their selected wines and local beers, had in only a few weeks been replaced by some strange "big chain" pastiche, but now with - YAY! - big screen TVs on every wall, and a gleaming slot machine in the corner. (the one place in Southfields you used to be able to avoid this if you wanted to). The daily selected food menu replaced by the archetypal "we sell everything from burgers, pasta, fish and chips...oh and homely pies too!", clearly frozen somewhere and defrosted on site. The fresh bread replaced with sliced white. I chose a couple of light bite chicken dishes, and was amazed at how fried chicken could be so tasteless. The beers at least have retained some locality, with Wimbledon, Brixton and Sambrook's on tap, as well as of course other brands. I noticed the FourPure has been taken off.

To be fair, there had been some effort to at least maintain some of the previous cosy decor. But whilst the large old wooden tables remained in place, the rickety mismatched chairs have been replaced with new pine jobs. The bric a brac on the walls replaced with the aforementioned TVs, and adverts for whatever sporting event was coming up (and requests for reviews…well, here you go!). I also wonder how long the remaining Earl Spencer personality will last.

There is no doubt that the previous owners had had huge difficulties over Covid, and it can't have been easy keeping the pub going. But it's a shame that the bustling, lively and warm (truly) local place where so much of the community had spent so many happy days and evenings now feels like it's had it's soul removed by a huge chain brand. Of course we'll go back, it's still local and there is still a glimmer of it's former self. I also know there are some who much prefer this more sanitised version...but for us I'm afraid it won't be the same.

Amazing food! Comfort food unlike any other pub I've been to in a long, long time. Beautiful natural light and really breezy in the summer for an easy going vibe. I'm very excited to visit in the winter when the fire is going with cozy classic food.

Unfortunately everything this pub had going for itself (which was a lot) has been lost.

Under new (corporate) ownership it has lost all atmosphere, quality and the general experience.

The staff were nice but obviously under trained, the food came out uncomfortably quick with 5 mistakes, missing salads, missing ingredients and cheap versions of descriptions (between the 2 meals).

The portions were tiny with the Burger and chips being smaller than a happy meal!

Unfortunately I won’t be recommending this pub and feel people should know this current rating has been purchased, not earned.

Also, from reading other reviews and looking at profiles, any 5 stars since the reopen are purchased as the reviews seem to only review ‘stonegate’ pubs. FYI

I just wanted to write and say thank you from me and my staff who attended our company party upstairs yesterday. The Staff were amazing and incredibly helpful, the food was very good and more importantly we had a great time. Thank you so much!

Great burgers, chilled out vibe during the day and suoer cool staff. Was helped by Emil who gave me tip-top service and made me aware of some promotions that they had on which was a welcome surprise. The staff here were also very accommodating and welcoming of my little puppy who loved the treats she got from them. Keep doing your thing and I'll keep coming back!!

I recently visited this pub for some lunch. I was pleasantly surprised by the politeness, helpfulness and happy attitude of the manager Szymon who served me. I don’t normally write reviews but this time I felt that it was definitely earned. You can certainly see the hard work and dedication of this employee. I would definitely be coming to this pub again and will recommend it to all of my friends who will be pleased to be served by such a caring manager.

Since the new management took over, this is our go to pub. We used to use the pub next door prior to the takeover due to the dark and dreary decor and exterior of this one. However the new management (Emil) has changed this to look refreshingly current. The food speak for itself and in outstanding quality. We came in here a long time ago and not a soul to be seen. Nowadays there are always people here enjoying themselves. What more could you ask for. Review by Tony and Jamie p.s dog friendly always has treats available. All round happy and enjoyable place to be.

We hosted our boot camp Christmas party in the upstairs function room of the pub and it was great! Emil and the team were friendly and helpful on the night, the buffet food was enjoyed by all (we had a range of dietary needs) and everyone had a great night. Highly recommend for functions and parties.