Amid the (sadly justified) doom and gloom about the UK’s pub scene, we’re seeing green shoots of hope. At the end of last year, it was reported that a staggering 930 London pubs closed between 2004 and 2024. One of those boozers was the Mother Red Cap, which called last orders the day after St. Patrick’s Day 2024 and has yet to reopen its doors. Well, here’s some good news: the Archway gaff is coming back, baby.
Posting on X last week, Labour councillor James Potts shared a photo of the pub’s exterior, with the caption: ‘Looks like the grey barriers have been removed from the Mother Red Cap on Holloway Road. I’ll be asking for an update on what is happening and will let residents know when I hear back. Let’s hope this means the pub will reopen soon!’
Now, he tells Time Out: ‘It is great to see works underway at the Mother Red Cap after it being closed for over two years. I have been campaigning for it to reopen and I hope to pop back in there for a pint soon.’
The pub was covered in graffiti, having closed in 2024 because its publican retired. Potts told us the graffiti had been scrubbed away when he walked past on Tuesday night (April 7).
In January, neighbouring boozer the Archway Tavern shared an Instagram post with the caption: ‘We were able to speak to someone at Star Pubs, the owners of The Mother Red Cap (Heineken) and were told that it will definitely return as a pub. They said that they were renovating the place and it would be back this year.
‘Not sure why you’d need to renovate such an institution, as it was perfect the way it was, aesthetically at least, but they say it will be reopening. Not sure we should take this new information at face value though, as big companies will say anything to get local campaigns off their back, while planning something else, so feel free to contact them directly yourselves.’
Star Pubs has now confirmed the news, with a spokesperson telling Time Out: ‘The Mother Red Cap in Holloway is expected to reopen after two years of closure within the next month. This old Irish pub, which includes some listed interior features, is popular with football fans and locals. We’re looking forward to welcoming back customers to this popular heritage Irish pub.’
The pub’s potential return also been a hot topic on Facebook’s Islington Community Group, with one excited local posting last week: ‘Some good news, it looks like The Mother Red Cap in Archway is getting ready to reopen, not sure of exact dates but today they are removing the metal plates covering the window.’
Last year, when he launched his campaign to save the pub, James Potts told the Islington Tribune: ‘I walk past it every day on the way to the tube. I have been in there a fair few times in the decade I have lived in the area. It’s got a really nice interior – lovely tiles on the walls.’
Indeed, this was a classic London boozer: think cosy lighting, furry carpets, lots of dark wood panelling and the prerequisite games machine in the corner. If that’s making you drool like Homer Simpson, join the club.
The Mother Red Cap is thought to date back to 1871 and there are conflicting stories as to how the place got its name. According to some, it was staffed by women who wore – you guessed it – red caps. A more fanciful version of the tale is that The Mother Red Cap was in fact a 17th century fortune teller and herbalist who lived in a cottage where the venue now stands.
If only she were still around to tell us what the long-term future holds for this legendary north London institution, eh?
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