Something’s brewing

Phil Mellows discovers a pub where, win or lose, Hammers fans are never offside

Pubs and football go together. Not for every pub, perhaps, but for so many at the heart of their communities it’s the footie that helps bring the crowds while the beer delivers the camaraderie.

When West Ham United departed the Boleyn Ground in 2016 the pubs of Upton Park were bereft. But, like football, there are always winners as well as losers.

And on this occasion the winner is… the Carpenters Arms in Stratford.

The original Carpenters Arms dates back to the 1860s, but that was demolished a century later and the current version built as part of the housing estate that surrounds it. 

For another 50 years, the pub happily served the locals. Things started to change when the 2012 Olympics arrived on the doorstep, and when the Hammers moved to what is now the London Stadium, many fans adopted the Carpenters as their new home.

And behind the bar, Pauline Clarke, who owns the freehouse, was ready for them.

On matchdays, from at least a couple of hours before kick-off, the resident DJ is ramping up the atmosphere. Traditional pie & mash is served, or a cooked breakfast if it’s a morning game, and – win or lose – the party continues after the final whistle has blown. 

And, especially now the team’s battling near the top of the Premier League, it’s some party, a good old-fashioned singalong with choruses of ‘Bubbles’ ringing out till closing, and the pub rocking with revelry. There are even videos of it on YouTube!

“Being the closest pub to the ground has had a huge impact on us,” says Pauline. “People know the Carpenters is a very secure, very safe environment, because we work closely with the police, and we simply make sure everyone can enjoy their day.

“When you open your arms to customers and give them a good session, they’ll keep coming back.”

The planned redevelopment of the estate casts a doubt over the future of the Carpenters. But it’s been knocked down before and got to its feet. And now there’s a whole terrace-load of Hammers fans who’ll be throwing their support into making sure match days continue to be made down the pub.

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