The Alderman, Harold Hill pub: A look back at its history

The Alderman stands on the corner of Chippenham Road and Dartfields, making it one of the last surviving pubs in the area. 

According to Havering Libraries, the watering hole was opened to customers in 1959 as the sixth pub in Harold Hill, marking the occasion with free drinks. 

An interview from The Harold Hill Independent with the landlord of the pub at the time, Albert James Miller, has been archived by the library. 

The opening was described as a “gamble”, with Miller admitting the pub’s success would depend on their customers who he found to be “a grand bunch”. 

The opening was described as a gamble at the time (Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies) Miller and his wife, Emily, brought with them a miniature poodle named Bill, Havering Libraries notes, who was seen running around the premises. 

According to the local studies of The Romford Times, The Alderman was named in the honour of the publican of The King’s Head, Alderman Albert John Dyer.

He is said to have pioneered for a 10.30pm closing time for pubs all year-round, captured in the same paper in a photo holding a pint and observing the time as 10.30pm on his watch prior to his death. 

Dyer was known to have fought for the late closing times of pubs in the area year-round (Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies) Dyer served as the town’s mayor in 1944 to 1945.

Havering Libraries record that deputy mayor Councillor Gerry Carrick claimed the pub would be a “living memory to him”. 

The pub itself was described as a “large Swiss chalet”, with a public bar, saloon bar, off licence and cellar all at the ground level. 

READ MORE: Plan to bulldoze Harold Hill pub set to be decided this week

Behind the bar lived a ship’s bell from the HMS Sussex which was rung out at closing time. 

To the exterior, the pub’s car park could fit 20 cars with “spacious lawns” surrounding the premises. 

Plans to bulldoze the venue were discussed at a strategic planning committee meeting on February 27.