The Alma Tavern to Reopen Following Major Upgrade

Building work is to start on 15^th November on a major £360,000 revamp of The Alma Tavern on Lower Addiscombe Rd in East Croydon by Heineken owned, Star Pubs & Bars¹.  Closed since March 2020, the pub will reopen as a top-quality family friendly neighbourhood local in late January with a new licensee Wayne Marshall at the helm.  8-10 jobs are being created on the back of the investment.

Funds are being spent on a complete upgrade of the interior and exterior of The Alma Tavern to give it a more modern relaxed look and feel.  Outside spacious beer gardens are being created at the front and back of the pub ideal for alfresco drinking and dining during the warmer months.

Inside the layout is being reconfigured to increase space and provide seating for 58 and the interior redecorated with a new flooring, wallpaper and atmospheric designer lighting in keeping with the modern design. Sports enthusiasts have not been forgotten either, and will benefit from a state-of-the-art AV system and big screens to show sporting events.

A new commercial kitchen is also being installed allowing the pub to offer affordable good quality pub classics such as cod & chips, burgers and salads, as well as vegan and vegetarian dishes and sharing platters.  There will also be a children’s menu with special kid-sized cutlery and crockery. 

Drinks wise, there will be premium beers including Heineken, Brixton beers and Beavertown, alongside a selection of craft ales, draught cider, top quality wines and spirits and a some cocktails. It will also have Heineken 0.0 ideal for those not wanting to drink alcohol and a new barista coffee machine.

A Smart Dispense system, which produces consistent superior quality draught beer and cider whilst reducing waste, water and energy consumption is being installed as part of the pub upgrade.

In addition to live sports and live music, The Alma Tavern will have a pool table and darts board, and would welcome teams using them. The pub will also host a regular quiz and offer food and drinks promotions.

The Alma Tavern is Wayne Marshall’s first pub of his own, though he has over five years industry experience most recently as assistant manager of a pub in Liverpool Street.  The move to hospitality was a marked contrast to his previous career in the legal profession.

Says Wayne: “I caught the hospitality bug and love the interaction with customers that the job involves. I am looking forward to moving to East Croydon and getting to know the community and can’t wait to open the doors and show everyone their new-look local

“The Alma Tavern has loads of potential and the refurbishment plans are fantastic.  They will give it a new lease of life. I want The Alma Tavern to be the premier drinking establishment in East Croydon and a focal point of the community welcoming people of all ages and nationalities.”

Adds Star Pubs & Bars’ business development manager Luke Cherrington: “With more housing being built in the vicinity, there is a real demand for great pubs in East Croydon. The Alma Tavern is in a great location near Croydon College and two busy train stations.    

“We’re delighted to be joining forces with Wayne to return The Alma Tavern to the heart of the community.  With his passion, high standards and attention to detail driving the pub forward, The Alma Tavern will become a great meeting place for the community as a whole.  I wish him well.”

The refurbishment at The Alma Tavern is part of a £38m investment that Star Pubs & Bars is making in more than 700 pubs in 2021.