Flyweight boxing champion opens revamped Mile End pub
Charlie Magri (left) celebrates the opening of the Victoria in Mile End with the pub's manager, Danny Connock (right) - Credit: Archant
A pub nestled in the heart of Mile End was exclusively opened by a former WBC European and British flyweight champion last week.
The Victoria, on Grove Road, revamped its image and relaunched on Thursday, September 4, with former landlord and boxer Charli Magri there for the blow out.
After beginning his impressive career at Arbour Youth Boxing Club in Stepney Green, Charli went on to win 30 out of 35 fights gaining the nickname Champion Charli.
He stopped boxing in 1986 and became landlord of the Victoria in 1989 for nine years.
Returning to his roots for the opening last week he said: “I’m impressed with the refurbishment of the pub. I enjoy coming down here regularly and have made it my local.”
You may also want to watch:
Plans to have chickens clucking on the rooftop laying fresh eggs, runner beans climbing the walls and tomato and strawberry plants sprouting are in place in an effort to return the pub to the heart of the community and harvest its own produce.
Fifteen local people have been recruited to join Yummy Pub, the team behind the Victoria take over.
Most Read
- 1 Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Whitechapel this morning
- 2 Fury as family homes vanish when Isle of Dogs landlord converts to bedsits
- 3 Man sentenced after teenage boy groomed on Snapchat to sell heroin
- 4 Two men arrested after police officers assaulted in Limehouse rave
- 5 Leyton Orient announce partnership with Hartford Athletic
- 6 Police hunt after stabbing in Cable Street: One man hurt
- 7 Covid vaccination hub opening in Westfield next week
- 8 'Racist consultation' protest rejected on Tower Hamlets street closures as Labour sticks to its manifesto
- 9 Ethnic communities not taking up Covid jabs, Tower Hamlets Mayor warns
- 10 Teenager found dead in Victoria Park
Tim Foster, director of the Yummy Pub Co, said: “Seven pubs have disappeared from around this area and we were determined that the Victoria would not succumb to the same fate.
“We will be working with local suppliers, local producers and local people to ensure The Victoria remains a central part of the local community in every way.”
The first floor houses Ssshh… Supper Club, a trio of themed rooms including ‘The Kitchen Room’ where you can view the chefs creating the meals of the day.
Next comes the Board Room which hides a secret stash of aged and oaked scotch and no drinks list exists at Magri’s Cocktail Bar, tucked away behind a mirrored wall.
Charlie’s Cocktail Caravan, complete with a picket fence, can be found in the garden, honouring the flyweight champion who promises to make the haunt his local.
Read more:
