East London Food & Culture

5 Mins With: Tuesday Roberts, owner, The Northcote E11

As The Garden reopens for takeaway only pizzas this week, we revisit our interview with the landlady of the mighty boozer

When were you happiest?
At university. Oh, and my first Glastonbury was pretty awesome too.

Where would you like to live?
Right here in the East End where I grew up.

What is your greatest life achievement?
Buying the Northcote all on my very own.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
It is NOT always hot in Africa!

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What is your earliest memory?
Seeing a witch leaning on the chimney below out from my 14th floor bedroom window. (Only my dad believes this to be true).

What makes you unhappy?
My tea going cold. Alas, this happens a lot.

Lovely: inside the Northcote. Photo: TR

Who or what do you hate and why? What is your most unappealing habit?
Just one? My almost Tourette’s need to say what’s on my mind when I’m worried or anxious.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Bloody Marys, morning or night.

Where do you hang out?
The Northcote, of course.

Prejudice – good old fashioned sexism, misogyny, racism and homophobia. It’s all an un-creative excuse to bully others when they’re feeling weak themselves. Too serious? OK, my cats trying to sleep in my head. Both at the same time.

What’s been your best experience?
Best? Being an aunty. Worst? The passing of Lindsey the donkey of Stepping Stones Farm. The reason I gave up eating mammals twenty years ago. RIP.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My thin, boring hair. I get through a lot of hairspray to achieve the bouffant. Surprised I haven’t given myself asthma.

What’s the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
We’ve run out of Jameson’s.

Tell us a secret.
When I’m ill I favour wearing my cotton superhero boxers.

What has your career taught you?
You can make a difference every day through small acts of kindness.

Damn it’s magical: the courtyard at the Northcote. Photo: Stephen Emms

What is your favourite dish and why?
Easy: roast dinner. At least five different types of veg, Yorkshires and stuffing, no matter what the meat. Proper thick gravy. Why? You can’t help but make it with love.

What are you working on right now?
So many projects in the air: the website, new ales, developing the live Saturday music events, starting an open mic night, and exhibiting local artists to name just a few.

What did you do today?
Woke up with cats on my head. Sang with the boys down at the bar. Fell asleep watching Game of Thrones. Also, my Monday nights seem to increasingly often involve Sambuca.

Describe yourself as an animal.
A loyal, dozy Labrador.

Who or what do you love?
My family and friends, of which I’ve been more blessed than I can possibly have done anything to deserve.

COVID-19 UPDATE May 2020: The Northcote is opening again on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for takeaway pizza only from The Garden (more details @garden_e11). Read the story of how drag nights came to the Northcote here. Find The Northcote at 110 Grove Green Road, London E11 @northcotee11

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Article updated 18/5/20

1 thought on “5 Mins With: Tuesday Roberts, owner, The Northcote E11”

  1. The Northcote Arms is an absolute gem. A REAL local that seeks to meet the needs of ALL the locals with an excellent and challenging quiz night, mothers and toddlers afternoons, open mike nights for local musicians, music evenings, film club, drag acts, comedy nights, vinyl records evenings and is even the meeting place of the local homebrew club. They recently were asked to host auditions for TV’S the Voice. They also provide an outlet for local pop-up food businesses with ‘We Serve Humans’ hand made burgers, ‘Taco Dave’ producing Tex-Mex Tacos and Muga Woodfired Pizzas. There is also a regular Sunday Market for local crafters. The staff are friendly, helpful and accomodating. Our church holds question and answer evenings there for people who want to question Christianity but wouldn’t enter a church. Our music group chill there after practice sessions and sing Christmas songs at Christmas. Truly something for everyone. I feel comfortable to take a sandwich there at lunchtime to enjoy with a pint or two of their well kept real ales and even my elderly, but well behaved retriever is welcome. The clientele range from the young and trendy to the elderly and from local artisans to professionals. Plasterers and decorators chat happily with teachers and doctors. All testimony to the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere of, in my opinion, by far the best true local in the area. Try it. If I’m in there I’ll buy you a pint.

Leave a Comment

1 thought on “5 Mins With: Tuesday Roberts, owner, The Northcote E11”

  1. The Northcote Arms is an absolute gem. A REAL local that seeks to meet the needs of ALL the locals with an excellent and challenging quiz night, mothers and toddlers afternoons, open mike nights for local musicians, music evenings, film club, drag acts, comedy nights, vinyl records evenings and is even the meeting place of the local homebrew club. They recently were asked to host auditions for TV’S the Voice. They also provide an outlet for local pop-up food businesses with ‘We Serve Humans’ hand made burgers, ‘Taco Dave’ producing Tex-Mex Tacos and Muga Woodfired Pizzas. There is also a regular Sunday Market for local crafters. The staff are friendly, helpful and accomodating. Our church holds question and answer evenings there for people who want to question Christianity but wouldn’t enter a church. Our music group chill there after practice sessions and sing Christmas songs at Christmas. Truly something for everyone. I feel comfortable to take a sandwich there at lunchtime to enjoy with a pint or two of their well kept real ales and even my elderly, but well behaved retriever is welcome. The clientele range from the young and trendy to the elderly and from local artisans to professionals. Plasterers and decorators chat happily with teachers and doctors. All testimony to the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere of, in my opinion, by far the best true local in the area. Try it. If I’m in there I’ll buy you a pint.

Leave a Comment