East London Food & Culture

Pepper’s Ghost is opening on Leyton High Road

The old Shoe Laces pub is getting a new lease of life
Shoe Laces. Photo: Ewan M/Flickr
Untied: Shoe Laces. Photo: Ewan M/Flickr

Formerly known as the Shoe Laces, and for some years before that as the Prince of Wales, the good news is that yet another new boozer is about to reopen on Leyton High Road.

Pepper’s Ghost launches in early September following a £300k investment by owners Punch. It’ll be remodelled and redecorated to create better bar and dining areas, with updated fixtures and fittings. Fair enough.

Under its new (and debut) publicans Jeff and Victoria, it will, no doubt, be the quintessential 21st Century London pub, with craft beers, real ales, a full food menu (featuring signature burgers and sourdough sandwiches), regular DJ nights, pub quiz, exhibitions and more.

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Scientist John Henry Pepper lived from 1821 - 1900. Photo: Wiki
Scientist John Henry Pepper lived from 1821 – 1900. Photo: Wiki

Why the unusual name? Well, local illusionist John Henry Pepper (who died in Leytonstone in 1900) popularised the famous illusion technique in 1862. The illusion features ghostly objects appearing and fading out on command, with objects seemingly magically transforming into one another.

The trick is commonplace in theatre, amusement parks, museums, TV and concerts, and was reprised at Coachella music festival in 2012 when Tupac Shakur was resurrected in hologram form to join Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre on stage.

How it might look. Photo: PR
Not a great impression of how it might look, is it? Photo: PR

Back to the present: to register for free membership for what they’re calling the Pepper’s Ghost 777 Club, simply email info@peppersghostleyton.co.uk and you’ll automatically blag a place at the pub’s opening event on 8 September, where there’ll be an “open” bar and menu sampling from 7-9pm. Not to be sniffed at, eh?

Pepper’s Ghost opens on Thursday 8th September at 777 Leyton High Road E10 5AB. More info here

1 thought on “Pepper’s Ghost is opening on Leyton High Road”

  1. Rhiannon Foster

    My grandad had the shellfish stall outside when it was the Prince of Wales for 20 years. Sadly he is no longer with us but would love to hear of any stories of him you might want to share. He knew so many people 🙂

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1 thought on “Pepper’s Ghost is opening on Leyton High Road”

  1. Rhiannon Foster

    My grandad had the shellfish stall outside when it was the Prince of Wales for 20 years. Sadly he is no longer with us but would love to hear of any stories of him you might want to share. He knew so many people 🙂

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