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Picture source: Darkstar

The Chimes was situated at 212 Hind Grove. This pub closed in 2008 and is now used as a cafe and mini-market.

This is about my ‘local’, The Chimes - 212 Hind Grove, Poplar E14. I now live in Hackney but I’m from Poplar (near the Blackwall Tunnel) - my actual locals were the Builders Arms and The Princess Of Wales, both of which I could see from my flat. I started drinking in The Chimes in 1985 when I started 6th form in St. Philip Howard School (demolished). It was conveniently situated at the schools rear entrance - my teachers used to take us there for our afternoon ‘lessons’. A pint of Truman’s bitter and a packet of cheese and onion was a quid! How times change! There were only 4 of us in my class and we always used to go to the private bar, round the side - it was always empty. I carried on drinking there with my mates until 1991. The saloon bar was always packed in the evenings but the private bar empty so we carried on in there. Up until around 1989 the governor was Brian. He was very stand offish with us, even though we were in there almost every night. He had two enormous German Shepherd dogs that looked evil - they did not like me! He used to play old recordings of Radio Caroline and Radio London through the sound system. It was a lovely, quiet boozer and I loved it. By chance, I ended up at a lock in in the Volunteer (238 East India Dock Road, Poplar) in around 1989 - it was just me and about 10 pub governors. Brian was at the lock in and he said he always liked us and he was giving up the Chimes and moving on. We parted as pals - after we’d had a proper skinful - and I never saw him again….. I carried on there for a few years but the place wasn’t the same. Poplar has lost all its decent pubs - the decline started when the Yuppies invaded the area. Anyway, it’s good memories so I thought I’d pass them on….. The next one’s for you, Brian!

Mike West (October 2025)

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Name	Dates	Comments
Annie Warren	1987-2001
William Flavin	1960-1970	I was a customer, Stan was the landlord, had some great times there lovely pub and friendly people. Stan had two lovely daughters.

Other Photos
Date of photo: 2014	Picture source: Colin Price