Spotlight - "The Colton Arms" - The Story of Norman, Dorothy and Jonathan Nunn
Norman and Dorothy Nunn have been in the licensing industry for over 50years, or as Dorothy says, " we have been behind bars for fifty years".
They took over The Stag, Battersea in 1958 when only beer and wine were sold. Dorothy remembers the old ladies sitting in the pub shelling peas and drinking stout whilst the piano played and every one sang Nelly Dean. They moved to the Colton Arms from the Nell Gwynn, Chelsea on 20th October 1965. Previous owners of the Colton Arms were Mr and Mrs Bradshaw. Mrs Bradshaw asked them to look after the garden and 40yrs later The Colton Arms recieved 'the best beer garden' award from the council.
The pub was originally owned by George Colton Moore, a pipe maker from Hoxton, he opened the Colton Arms in 1860. The pub has not changed much since 1965 but the original layout was very different. There used to be three rooms, two bars and possibly an off license area each with its own entance. The ceiling in the bar area was originally much higher and there was no toilet at the front of the building.
From about 1930 to 1950 the pub was owned by Mr and Mrs Page. Not so long ago the daughter came into the pub and recognised her father from the old photograph on the wall. She told Dorothy that she was born in the pub 80yrs ago. It was quite a revelation.
Norman and Dorothys' son Jonathan was 11yrs old on arrival at the pub. He attended St Marks CofE school and sang in the choir. The choir sang in St Georges Chapel. He attended Hammersmith and West London College studying an HND in Business Studies and later went on to work for Glaxo in Greenford as a chemical buyer. After 4 to 5yrs he moved to Beefeater Gin working packaging buyer. He worked there for 18years.
Jonathan often helped out in the pub after work and at weekends. He remembers when he was 17yrs old his dad was busy and asked him to help wash the glasses. He served his first customer with a bolltle of bierritz, a blend of orange wine and beer 96.7% proof (in the 70's drinks were a little different!).
Norman eventually asked Jonathan to be a partner and now ofcourse both names appear above the door as licensee. Jonathan has been in the pub trade for 36years, Norman and Dorothy don't look like retiring yet! They still enjoy serving and chatting to their customers and friends.
The pub is in Good Beer Guide and is in the top 10 of the Good Pub Guide. It has a quiet friendly atmosphere, no dart board, no television and no distraction, a place where the art of conversation is still very much alive. The diverse crowd keeps things very lively. There is a warm welcome for everyone.
The latest addition to the pub is Bruce, an 18 month old dog who they aquired in a rather sad condition. After much love and care he is full of health.
<<< Jonathan, Dorothy and Norman in the beer garden.
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