When JD Wetherspoon announced that it would be closing its Hackney pub Baxter’s Court a few months ago, some locals weren’t pleased. But their disappointment was was short lived as the Mare Street watering hole made a return - just not as a Spoons.
The freehouse has come under new management just over a month after its closure and now belongs to pub and hotel operator The DC Lion.
Some regulars were "heartbroken" and worried the decision to close Baxter’s Court would affect the community.
Facebook group 'Dead Pubs of London’ mourned the boozer as a "lifeline" to ‘the elderly, disabled, impoverished, generally disadvantaged, and just plain working-class’.
We asked regular punters what they think of the change of ownership.
Sarrah Williams 54, an administrator from Homerton, said: “I have been there a few times over the past few weeks. It is a bit different. A different feeling. The same people go there. Same faces but it feels different.
“It a bit quieter on Saturday nights. There used to be a lot of people outside on weekends. There is a lot of people coming but not as much as before.”
Adam Adualli, 27, a taxi driver who lives in Hackney, said: “Yes, I go in there sometimes. I pick up passengers on weekends. To be honest I don’t see much of a difference. The staff are nice as always. The food is still same.
“I have noticed customers have dropped over weekends. I still pick passengers easily, but I do realise it is not as busy as used to be.”
Mary James, 65, who is retired and lives in Hackney, said: “I still go there. A pub is a pub to me. Yes, there are changes but not to notice or moan about. I still like going there.
“I still sit in my regular spot. It is still clean and nice place to go to. Not sure why Wetherspoon left but let’s hope things don’t change too much.”
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