A new pub called The Red Setter will be opening this spring in the premises occupied previously by All Bar One located in 32-38 Northcote Road.
The Red Setter is part of a group of 40 pubs, restaurants, and bars across London, all with their own individual style and concept, offering cocktails and food in the style of a suburban gastropub. Urban Pubs & Bars were founded in 2014 by Nick Bring and Malcolm Heap.
It seems to take part in the global gentrification of Clapham Junction, with more generic and standard establishments being replaced by “urban bars” and cocktail venues. The latest example is the opening of Botanica Hall in Arding & Hobbs building.
Another company not understanding the difference between Clapham Junction in Battersea and Clapham ?
All would seem well if there were not a small twist in the story: the advertised location of the site is Clapham!
However, the previous occupant did not make the mistake, as All Bar One was clearly labeled as being in Clapham Junction Battersea (page currently closed showing Battersea in URL, but visible on WayBackMachine).
According to one of our reader, asking the local Councillor to intervene, he was told that “the Council could not compel them to change“. At least they could try he said.
Urban Pubs & Bars has been contacted for comments but has not responded at the time of publishing.
A recurrent mistake that some business are more inclined to rectify than others
To stop the confusion and rectify names has been the dedication the LoveBattersea community group. Some of the famous cases include Asda wanting to rename itself Asda Clapham and only agreeing to change the name after organizing a poll to decide whether they were located in Clapham or Battersea.
More recently, we have the ongoing construction of the new Peabody estate in St John’s Hill deciding to brand itself One Clapham and advertising the site as Clapham Old Town near the Picture House Cinema. They still refuse to change the name as they responded it was decided after consultation with the local residents (who they said told them they were in Clapham) and to avoid confusion with the train station also called Clapham Junction.
- Read our article: Is Peabody really confused or just disconnected from Clapham Junction?
The confusion originated from a purely marketing opportunity by railway companies two centuries ago to name Clapham Junction the new station opening in 183 in Falcon Bridge. At that time, Battersea was associated with industry and poor working people, while Clapham, located one mile east of the station in the borough of Lambeth, became a sought-after area for affluent merchant classes from the City of London throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Read our article: How Clapham Junction transformed: 1745-2011
In the meantime, the Red Setter is looking for its Chef de Partie, in case you are interested or know someone.
Update 04/03/2024: Urban Pubs & Bars appear to have listened to the critics regarding their labelling of the bar as “Clapham.” They have now covered the incorrect name with a sticker displaying “BATTERSEA!”.
Hopefully all other mistakes in their communication, including the website, will be corrected soon.
