Guild members are invited to the launch of ‘Welcome to the Forest Bar’ on Thursday 10 October, 5-10 pm at 186A Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 4QH.
RSVP: Welcome.WTTF@gmail.com or call 020 8509 1940
As it enjoys its year in the spotlight as the Mayor’s first-ever London Borough of Culture, celebrating the themes of radicals, makers and fellowship, Waltham Forest Council is delighted to launch a new bar in the heart of Walthamstow town centre.
Welcome to the Forest Bar, a collaboration with the Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub and East London Brewing Company, will occupy vacant premises in the EMD Cinema complex until the site’s proposed redevelopment begins in 2020. It’s another example of the legacy of the London Borough of Culture programme, which is bringing culture to every corner of the borough and is a perfect fit for the Mayor of London’s first Night Time Enterprise Zone.
Welcome to the Forest Bar, 186a Hoe Street, Walthamstow, will be a showcase for local food and drink producers – particularly the area’s vibrant microbrewing community – where customers can come and sample a range of locally-made produce. It will also function as an exciting new entertainment venue, the Little Rose & Crown, conceived as a fringe of its well-established parent, Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub just up the road. The Little Rose & Crown will provide a platform for up-and-coming local artists, musicians and performers.
“We have a huge wealth of talent in this borough,” said Viv Barrett, proprietor of the Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, ‘’and it’s absolutely vital that we support local musicians and artists if we want the arts to thrive – especially young artists who face such a challenge in launching their careers.”
“If we want to enjoy quality and variety in what we eat and drink it is vital that – as a community – we support local producers,’’ added Matt Chinnery of East London Brewing Company. “We really hope that Welcome to the Forest Bar captures the imagination of customers – come and check it out!”
Cllr Simon Miller, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Housing Development said: “I am delighted that we are taking this opportunity to celebrate the creativity and local entrepreneurship we have on our doorstep. Using our property to facilitate partnerships like this means we can continue to maximise opportunities for local businesses, people and the community and continue the legacy Borough of Culture will leave. “This addition to the town centre brings with it jobs for local people, more choice for our residents and continues to build this area as an evening and night time destination, one of the reasons why we are the Mayor of London’s first night time enterprise zone.”
The bar will open on Friday 11 October 2019 with a programme of events, including a weekly ‘Welcome Night’ an alcohol free night curated by young people, exclusively for 14 to 18-year-olds who will be able to use the bar’s non-alcoholic facilities and have a space of their own. The bar will also be available for private hire for events, workshops and meetings.
Further information:Email Welcome.WTTF@gmail.com or call on 020 8509 1940 for all enquiries about the venue’s programme of events and activities.
Social media:
Twitter @WTTFBAR
Instagram wttfbar
FaceBook Welcome to the Forest Bar
Notes for editors:
Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub was established by 5 people who were working, living and rehearsing in the area with big ideas of wanting to bring music and theatre to the community while becoming a part of everything great Walthamstow has to offer. Since 2008, the pub has become a hub within the community holding events, fundraisers, street parties and festival bars, but ultimately becoming a place that people can call home. Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub has gained a reputation for excellent beer winning Pub of the Year on more than one occasion, as well as seeking wherever possible to encourage and work with local businesses and ventures, which meant going into partnership with ELB was a no brainer!
An award winning theatre pub located on Hoe Street in the heart of Walthamstow, is everything we could have asked for and more. Whatever it is you love – be it beer, food, friendly people or music and theatre – you’ll find it with us and we hope that we can embody that atmosphere in our ‘Little Rose and Crown’. Nearly 12 years on and we couldn’t be prouder to doing what we are doing. Contact: roseandcrown.theatrepub@gmail.com
- East London Brewing Company is a 25-barrel microbrewery in London’s E10, established by husband-and-wife team, Stu & Claire in February 2011 and now brewing beers for cask, keg, bottle and can http://www.eastlondonbrewing.com. Our philosophy is to champion the best of East London – past present and future. Email enquiries to: hello@eastlondonbrewing.com
- Waltham Forest Council is a local authority in North East London named in February 2018 as the first ever London Borough of Culture by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Bursting with energy and opportunity, it is a place changing rapidly with business growth up and employment at its highest rate ever. It is a place where people want to live, raise a family and start a business. We are creating liveable neighbourhoods, where people have access to quality housing and the services and facilities that they need, along with vibrant town centres that have thriving shops, restaurants and entertainment. If you would like to contact the press office call 0208 496 4521. Email enquiries can be directed to media.@walthamforest.gov.uk