Thought to be named after the women who picked marigolds on the Thames’ marshes, the Hand & Marigold first opened in 1793, and for more than two centuries was a treasured pub for Bermondsey locals until it closed after the Covid pandemic, writes Emily Buckley Bunn…
Fortunately, in September 2024 it was taken over by married couple Oli Carter-Esdale and Alice Hayward, who spent six months refurbishing the historic building.
Through its reopening, they wanted to celebrate its history and revitalise it as a community space open to all.
“Everything here is a labour of love,” says Oli, 32, who has always lived in South London and owns another small local pub in Wimbledon called the Trafalgar.
For Alice, who works in operations for a brewery, Bermondsey is close to her heart – she is proud to be descended from seven generations of locals, one of whom met their partner in the Hand and Marigold when they were working behind the bar.
“The tracing of the history is there, and it’s very keenly felt for her and by me as well,” says Oli.
The pub, which is in its ninth week of opening, has been decorated by Oli and Alice with a range of repurposed and found objects, all of which hold special meaning.
The panelling around the bar is Georgian and the ‘snob screens’ are Tudor. The bar top used to be an old school lab desk, and the floor’s infill reuses shavings from the V&A.
The walls are adorned with delicate fragments of history including old maps of the local area found in Oli’s grandparents’ loft, the pub’s licence from 1899 which allowed it to open at 6am on Fridays to cater for the antiques market, and a picture of the pub from the 1960s.
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On one wall, which is aptly decorated with William Morris’ marigold print, they are set to hang a huge mirror which was in the pub over 100 years ago.
“It’s new layers of old history,” says Oli. “We wanted to build something that kind of harked back to how pubs used to be.”
The process of refurbishing was very hands-on for the pair, who did the majority of work themselves. Oli handled the practical tasks like building the cellar and the bar, whilst Alice took the lead on the design front.
“I always liked the idea of reinvigorating and reopening spaces,” says Oli. “You’re losing more and more local spaces for the sake of luxury apartments – smaller independent businesses that are more community orientated are less of an occurrence.” Although the refurbishment was stressful, it is important to Oli and Alice that the pub retains a strong sense of independence. All the beer and cider they stock is sourced from independent or family-owned businesses across the UK, from Southwark to Scottish breweries.
“Being fully independent means that we get to showcase the best of what is around and put it at prices that encourage you to stay for one more,” Oli says.
They have a commitment of keeping their house pints at six pounds or less.
Alongside their beer, they have an extensive snack menu, which includes 12 types of crisps, pork pies, pickled onions, pickled eggs and prawn crackers.
Of vital importance for Oli and Alice is that the Hand and Marigold grows as a social space.
“Everyone is welcome, anyone can be here, anyone can spend time here,” Oli tells us.
“A pub is its people – community is vital in times like these, when things are only getting harder, and people are turning on each other.”
Already, since its reopening, the Hand and Marigold, which is the only pub with the name, has welcomed many newcomers, as well as locals who have been coming to the pub for over 40 years.
And Oli has ensured every single seat has a cushion, telling us: “I think pubs should be a place of comfort – I find a good pub should be somewhere that feels hard to leave.”
It certainly is.
Hand and Marigold, 244 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UH
Open: Mon-Thurs 54pm-11pm / Fri-Sat 1pm-11pm / Sun 1pm-10pm
