The Harringay Arms, in Crouch Hill, closed in January but a new sign has now appeared suggesting it will be called The Wooden Cross.
Hornsey Historical Society member David Winskill said: “It’s a tiny little pub, one of the last remaining boozers in Crouch End. All of a sudden it’s had a makeover and is now called the Wooden Cross.”
He said the new name might be a nod to the area’s history.
“The origin of the name Crouch End was originally Cross End. In Medieval times when two manors met, sometimes they’d erect a cross.
The Wooden Cross appears to have replaced the Harringay Arms, with locals believing the new name may be a nod to Crouch End’s history (Image: Mark Afford)
“With the manor of Hornsey where it met Topsfield, one end of the manor was the church end, where St Mary’s Church is, and the other end was the cross end, and that is roughly where the clock tower stands.
“We think they’ve named it after that but it’s not on the site, it’s 200 yards away from where the cross would have been.”
Mark Afford, chairman of Crouch End Neighbourhood Forum, hopes the renamed watering hole is a success.
He said: “It’s cool, it’s fine by me they have changed the name. It’s more important they market it right.
“I wish them well and hope that whatever point they are pitching themselves at in the market, they are successful.”
The small community pub opened in 1877. The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said on its website that one wall featured historical maps of Crouch End, another had old photos of Irish authors, playwrights and poets.
The Ham&High is trying to contact the new owners.
