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Picture source: Timothy Keane

The Alma was situated at 41 Spelman Street. This pub has now been replaced by shops and offices.

Between at least 1881 and 1927, this was the brewery tap of Edward Tilney & Co’s Alma Brewery.  The brewery had been in the yard at the rear, but was taken over and closed by Charrington’s Brewery in 1927 – a framed collection of Alma Brewery bottle labels used to hang behind the bar.  In the 1990s the pub became a stop-off for ‘Jack The Ripper’ walking tours, not because the pub had any particularly strong association with the murders, but because it was good business and a little ‘museum’ was set up in a back room.  At this time the pub had a good reputation for its real ales and it became East London & City CAMRA Pub of the Year for 1997.  The last landlord was a somewhat eccentric character and disappeared one day in 2001 amidst rumours of close interest by the taxman.  The pub never reopened and now serves as the offices of a charity.

Stephen Harris

In the early 1980's an episode of Minder called "What made Shammy run" was filmed in Brick Lane and the actors and film crew drank in the Alma after shooting. Photos of George Cole and Dennis Waterman and other minder memorabilia were displayed in the Alma and the landlord said the episode was a "nice little earner" for him.

Colin Price (March 2016)

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Contacts

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Name Dates Comments Anton J van den Berg 1986/1997 This place I loved! Have great memories of this place. Really sad that's its gone should be returned to a pub. Anyone up for it? I knew Steve. He was more eccentric than me! The amount of times he barred me for saying something he didnt like I have lost count. He had these funny mood swings especially when he was hung over. Alan Gold 1980s My dad ran the pub in the 1970s/80s.

Other Photos

Picture source: Stephen Harris

Picture source: Chris Amies