Shepherd Neame celebrated the official reopening of its historic pub, The Crown, in Blackheath Village, with a nod to the area’s spectacular sporting links.
Former England full-back, Tim Stimpson, pulls the first pint at the re-opened Crown
The 16th century former coaching inn, which has undergone a £750,000 transformation, is a short distance from the oldest open rugby club in the world, Blackheath. Fittingly, former England full-back, Tim Stimpson, pulled the first pint.
Tim received a £1,000 donation from Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame, for the Sporting Partnerships Foundation Fund, an organisation he founded. Jonathan also presented the chair of The Blackheath Society, Paul Watts, with a donation of £1,000 towards the society’s work to preserve and improve the village.
“There’s so much rich history here at The Crown, and in Blackheath itself,” said Jonathan. “We are delighted to have been able to contribute to this vibrant community by investing in the transformation of this unique pub in the very heart of Blackheath Village, one of the few real villages left in London.
“Despite being so close to the capital, it still retains that community feel, and we hope this stunning renovation we have carried out will prove popular with locals and visitors.”
The pub’s team, led by new general manager Jan Mullerson, will serve a wide selection of award-winning ales on draught, in glass and in pewter tankards, and one of Shepherd Neame’s Classic Collection draught keg beers, Bishops Finger.
