The North Star pub in Finchley Road is the sole remaining watering hole in Swiss Cottage after the closure of Ye Olde Swiss Cottage on February 1. Owners Natasha and Martin Purdom, who have run the pub for 20 years, lament the loss of local pubs. Despite challenges, the North Star has thrived post-pandemic with renovations and a shift away from showing sports, which they believe has attracted more customers. However, the isolation as the only pub poses challenges for attracting patrons seeking a broader nightlife experience.
Natasha said: "We're very sorry for what's happened at Ye Olde Swiss Cottage. When we came here 20 years ago we were one of eight pubs in the area and they've all gone."
From St John's Wood there is nothing until you get to Golders Green except for us. It doesn't help to be the only pub. A lot of time when people go out... you're coming to Finchley Road and you're coming to us, that's it.
The pub no longer shows football games, which Natasha and Martin say perhaps counter-intuitively led to an increase in clientele, and the couple say they keep their prices as low as they can.
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