The Angel Arcade

Image: © Bob Harvey Taken: 25 Jan 2014

The former mews stables were turned into little lock-up shops 20 years ago. This little row of shops ends at Image The property on the left was "the Ostler bar" for many years, dating back to when there was, in fact, an Ostler. The latest incarnation, a trendy wine bar, was not overly successful but was frankly badly managed and very rarely open. One of the shopkeepers from the arcade moved into it last year, and seems to have been moderately successful. The mews yard was roofed, and the roofs pierced by hemispherical plastic domes to let some light in. Oddly, this was never controversial in the middle of the conservation area, and is very much a feature of the arcade. The hotel still maintains a large function room above the arcade on the left, once known as "The Copperfield Room" but recently refurbished as "The Coach House".

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