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Brewing up great Award winning Restoration Pub signs Since 1981

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Traditional Sign writer. Nick Garrett Seraina Baumgartner sinpainters of London, NGS Hand Painted Pub signage specialists

Case History:

Help Keeping the George alive!

The George Tavern, restored Pub signage by NGS Sign Writing

The George Tavern: the London gig venue at the heart of the fight against gentrification

The great east London rock n roll haunt, its future uncertain even after a rare protection against noise complaints, is a microcosm of a live music industry under siege.

It was a cause for celebration: “London’s historic George Tavern venue has been saved!!”

Shouted out the NME (New Musical Express) headline in February 2019. After years of campaigning, the Stepney Green pub and gig venue, secured a rare protection against noise complaints.

Kate Moss had been photographed wearing a “Save the George Tavern” T-shirt while Amy Winehouse (a regular), Ian McKellen, all four of the Rolling Stones and Justin Timberlake had offered public support. Not bad for an old boozer just off the District line!

Pints flowed and locals crowd-surfed. Except that the ongoing war, or fight for survival, so it seems, is never quite won – and the George has once again become a microcosm of the broader threats from developers to London’s dwindling music venues in 2023.

NO HALF-WAY MEASURES: It’s only rock n roll…

The struggle dates back to 2002. The George Tavern was up for sale and artist Pauline Forster was the only bidder that wanted to preserve its history.

Originally the Halfway House, a coaching inn in the 17th century, the derelict Grade II-listed building was being considered by developers to squeeze flats out of. Forster won by offering the agent cash, even though she didn’t have it, and three days later moved in with her five sons before finding a mortgage.

She never intended on becoming a publican. “I didn’t even know how to pull a pint,” she says. “I bought it for its potential as a studio but the bar was just sitting there, ready to go.”

Pauline contacted me in 2016 and asked me to recreate the 60s spirit of the pub signage identity. Meeting her was a powerful and inspiring experience as she showed me all over the upper floors, preserved in their original meme for time… and photoshoots. It was clear to me that she knew nothing of half measures.

”Do you need a tower Nick? We’ve got one ready for you in the back yard…”.

She helped me wheel it out and I jumped up, and started to give her back the magic.

Signwriter Nick Garrett at the George Stepney London

Signwriter Nick Garrett at the George Stepney London 003

Above: Nick preparing the Gilding with the 1960s Ind Coope ‘Restoration Roman/Script’ combination at large at the George, Stepney London.

The George Tavern London Signwriter Nick Garrett NGS 2

The George Tavern London Signwritten by Nick Garrett NGS Restoration Type London.

1981: BECOMING A TRUE LONDON SIGN WRITER

Local cool Bar Signs and the Sign Chiefs who believed in me.

When I was 21, I was out there straight after graduation sign painting and marbling pub after pub, all over London…

day and night.

That was my real sign writing training ground, surrounded by top brewery architect mentors, keeping it real and loving every minute of it!

Putting this in perspective, I was the youngest lad out there painting signs with sign masters Ted Am,bridge watching my every move, it was rare that the breweries stuck their neck out for a young blood like me.

Above: My first Watney pub gild in Paddington 1981

SIGN MENTORS – I never forget to mention

Mike Jacks, Head of Design for Allied breweries (1979-83) did just that, and won us pub sign of the year (Design Council Awards) in my first year!

Superb chaps I’ll never forget, like Andy Whitmore, Ron Bennett, Will Allbrook and Paul Lawn gave me a chance – so this page is a big appreciative nod to them.

Nick Garrett 2024

LONDON SIGN WRITING NGS

Beginnings

My pub sign writing career starts.

My first Watney pub sign in Paddington

The sign is still there on the corner 40 years on in 2020 – faithfully repainted at some stage recently. Notice my signature ‘A’ in the script used on the restoration of The George below in 2016.