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Angel and Sugar Loaf, 8 Butcher Row, East Smithfield

Aldgate pub historyindex

The Angel and Sugar Loaf was a public house and victualler’s premises located at 8 Butcher Row, East Smithfield, in the historic Aldgate area of the City of London. Documentary evidence shows it in continuous use by at least 1803, when John Knight appears as the occupier and insurer of the premises in Sun Fire Insurance records. Knight remained associated with the establishment for well over a decade, suggesting both longevity and local prominence in the early 19th century.

Contemporary printed accounts from 1817 describe the Angel and Sugar Loaf as a “well‑known excellent free public house and wine vaults” with a substantial tap room, bar, spirit warehouse and cellarage, and note that “several hundred pounds have been expended in improving the premises”—testament to its scale and success before that date.

By 1827, advertisements indicate that the business and its fixtures were being offered for sale in connection with the imminent development of the St Katherine Dock area, part of the major dockland improvement works that reshaped this part of the Thames‑side landscape. The site and building were subsequently demolished around 1828 as part of these changes.

This would have been on the northern side of Butcher row, and all demolished around 1828 for the the St Katherine Dock Improvement

Residents at this address.

10 June 1803/Insured: John Knight, the Angel and Sugar Loaf Butcher Row East Smithfield, victualler/../../Sun Fire Insurance records at the LMA

1805/John Knight, Angel and Sugar Loaf, Butchers row, East Smithfield/../../Holdens Directory

16 July 1810/ Insured: John Knight, at The Angel and Sugar Loaf, Butcher Row, East Smithfield, victualler/../../Sun Fire Insurance records at the LMA

4 November 1816/Insured: John Knight, The Angel and Sugar Loaf, Butcher Row, East Smithfield, victualler/../../Sun Fire Insurance records at the LMA

Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser 26 December 1817 :
That well known excellent Free Public house and Wine vaults, the Angel and Sugar Loaf, being number 8, Butcher row, East Smithfield, near the London Docks.
The Premises are well arranged and contain convenient domestic apartments, a commodious light Liquor shop with tap room in front, bar room, capital spirit warehouse, and lofty light cellerage. Within the last few years several hundred pounds have been expended in improving the Premises, they commanded for many years a most extensive Business, and were occupied by the late Mr John Knight upwards of 18 years; and are now submitted to sale only on account of his sudden decease. Seven years of the lease were unexpired at Michaelmas 1817, at the extreme low ground rent of £4 per annum.
14 January 1819/Insured: Noah Ayton, Angel and Sugar Loaf Butcher Row East Smithfield, victualler/../../Sun Fire Insurance records at the LMA

Morning Advertiser 18 June 1827 - Publicans, Brokers and Others. By John Bromley, this day, June 18 at Twelve, on the Premises, the Angel, Butcher row, East Smithfield, by order of the Proprietor, removing for the St Katharines Docks,
The Fixtures, Utensils, and remaining Effects, two beer machines, two liquor fountains and pipes, three 400 gallon spirit vatts and casks, two dials, tables, stoves, ranges, blinds, copper, sink, partitions &c, also a few lots of furniture.




PUB HISTORY
And Last updated on: Sunday, 01-Feb-2026 13:38:44 GMT