Welcome to the Pride of Spitalfields! Right here, on Heneage Street, just off Brick Lane, stands this historic pub. It’s a place steeped in history, from its humble beginnings as the Romford Arms to its association with one of the most infamous characters in London’s history: Jack the Ripper. We are standing in front of a place that witnessed a dark period in London’s history.
The Pride of Spitalfields, as it’s known today, wasn’t always a place of lively pints and good cheer. There were times when its walls echoed with whispers of fear and mystery. If these walls could talk, they might tell you about a man named James Hardiman, a ‘cats meat vendor’ who called number 13 Heneage Street home and regularly frequented the Romford Arms. You see, James Hardiman was one of the suspects in the Jack the Ripper case.
Another suspect, George Hutchinson, is said to have been drinking at the Romford Arms on the fateful night of November 9th, 1888, before meeting one of the Ripper’s victims. The pub was a place where suspects and witnesses intertwined.
Fast forward to the modern era, and the pub’s name changed from The Romford Arms to The Pride of Spitalfields sometime between 1983 and 1986. It retains its charm and history, hosting local patrons and tourists alike. In 1998, musician David Gray filmed his music video for “Sail Away” in the pub. This pub has seen its share of fame, and its doors have welcomed many a storyteller.
Today, the pub is recognized for its real ales and its warm, welcoming atmosphere. So raise a glass, and let’s toast to the Pride of Spitalfields, a place that has witnessed the passage of time, from the shadows of Jack the Ripper to the vibrancy of a modern pub.