The Crossing, White Hart Lane Barnes, to Open as a New Neighbourhood Pub with Food, Following a £450,000 Investment

The Tree House pub on White Hart Lane in Barnes is to reopen in August following a major £450,000 refurbishment by restaurant, bar and hospitality operator, Christian Arden1 and Heineken owned, Star Pubs & Bars2.   The new establishment will be a premium food and drink operation, creating up to 30 full and part time jobs with the kitchen being overseen by Chef Anthony Demetre.

The new pub is to be renamed The Crossing and will become a quality neighbourhood family and dog-friendly pub, serving outstanding seasonal freshly prepared food, great beer and curated wines from lesser-known growers plus a few classics.

Set over two floors, there will be a relaxed light, airy modern bar and dining area with handmade scrubbed wooden tables and comfortable velvet settles.   A beer tap wall behind the zinc covered bar and pendant lighting further add to the spacious look and feel of the bar.

At the front of the pub, beneath shady awnings and shrub filled planters, there will be fixed seating for up to 40.  The main event will be a new garden terrace for 60 with an outdoor kitchen comprising a bespoke grill and rotisserie as well as a wood-fired pizza oven.  The decking will be replaced with a mosaic tile and inlaid terrace. Lantern lights, hanging trailing greenery and locally curated planting will add to the atmosphere to create a wonderful, secluded garden.

Upstairs will become a comfortable dining and event space for 60 with a relaxed setting and its own private bar. This will also become a social hub for weekly events such as premium sport games, quiz nights or even book clubs.  It will be available for day-time community groups at no cost.

The WC’s will be receiving a much-needed makeover, doubling the size of the facilities.

Drinks will be on offer for every occasion at The Crossing, from local cask ales and premium lagers to top quality spirits, signature cocktails and a carefully curated fine wine list by Callum Roberston at Corney & Barrow. Wine, beer and food pairing events will be part of the social calendar.

The menu will feature plant-based, fish and meat dishes using outstanding British ingredients wherever possible, fresh and simply cooked on a flame fired specialist ‘Clayoven Grill’; simple rotisserie Sunday lunches with seasonal roasted vegetables and healthy salads will be a highlight of the week. Sharing dishes and bar food will be available all day.  Outdoor cooked pizzas and flat breads will be available evenings and weekends.

The kitchen will be overseen by consultant chef Antony Demetre from Arbutus and Vermuteria in Coal Drops Yard – and his team of young chefs.

The pub and upstairs room with have wi-fi and charging points for those wanting to use the venue as a workspace.

Christian says: “I want The Crossing to offer fabulous food and drink at reasonable prices served in a warm laid-back atmosphere.  Lockdowns have taught us to be better operators at our sister pub in Clapham and now we have to be the best. The front of house team are a vital ingredient and will be led by Sean Cody, currently our GM at The Rectory, Clapham Old Town.

“Sustainability has been key to the planning. ‘My wife is the co-founder of the award-winning campaign organisation, A Plastic Planet, so as you can I imagine I have to take this stuff seriously. We’ll be using local suppliers, fresh ingredients and minimising single use plastic and waste.  Our cellar will have a Smart Dispense system which produces consistent superior quality draught beer and cider whilst reducing waste, water and energy consumption. Pubs have always been a great example of sustainable leadership with beer drawn from re-useable kegs and served in glasses that are washed. There is very little waste. I want The Crossing to set an example’. 

“This project has been over a year in the planning, and we have a tough challenge ahead.  Above all The Crossing will be a community pub for locals and I can’t wait to get the show on the road.”

Richard Campbell, Regional Operations Director of Star Pubs & Bars said: “I am delighted that Christian has taken on the lease of The Crossing.  He has hospitality in his bones and has previous experience of re launching pubs such as Shillibeers in North London and The Rectory in Clapham. Barnes has been crying out for a pub restaurant of this calibre and I am confident it will be a great success. I wish Christian and his team well.”