A micropub in Sidcup is preparing for its one-year anniversary after what its owner has called a "mad" opening 12 months.
The Hackney Carriage opened in Station Road on August 19 last year and now owner Liz Twort has said the last 12 months have hit her like a brick wall as she prepares for a festival to mark the year anniversary.
The boozer, which won a Bexley CAMRA’s award for its ciders, operates with traditional micropub rules such as no speaking on the phone.
Liz said: “It has been far more fun but busy than I expected. I knew the people of Sidcup needed somewhere boys and girls could feel comfortable but I didn’t realise how much they needed it.
“I didn’t expect to be able to take on anybody but now I have a full time bar manager and some part timers, it is all about keeping it local and sticking to the micro pub ethos.”
The pub has four craft ales on offer during the week and six on the weekend, as well as ciders and wines.
Customers are not allowed to speak on the phone whilst they are in the pub to encourage them to talk to each other.
Liz said: "They look at me like I'm mad, I don't care who it is but it is a really good thing.
“We just wanted to give the community somewhere fun to go and still keep it all local.”
The pub, named after Liz’s husband Mark’s career as a cabbie, offers pints from Bexley Brewery as well as other micro-brewery casks.
The pubs anniversary festival will take place on August, 13-20 and feature live music sets from performers based in the area.
Liz said the pub is looking forward to welcoming customers to celebrate the first year of trading.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here