The Spotted Dog< was a pub at 72 Garratt Lane, this pub was a centre for industrial workers and later radical politics before being demolished for a shopping centre expansion.

Contents

Timeline
Newspaper articles
Maps

Timeline

• c. 1762 – 1840: The pub operates under independent or local brewers during the Georgian and early Victorian periods.
• By the late 18th century, it was established as a “well accustomed Public House” serving the mill workers and laborers of the River Wandle.
• Late Victorian Era: The pub becomes a significant asset of Page & Overton’s Brewery Ltd , a Croydon-based regional powerhouse.
• The building features a robust brick facade and ornate signage typical of the “Brewery Tie” era.
• c. 1910 – 1954: The pub remains under the tenure of Page & Overton.
• 1934: Clement Belk Barron, a key licensee who owned both The Spotted Dog and The Fishmongers Arms, dies leaving a substantial estate, indicating the pub’s profitability during the interwar period.
• 1954 – 1993: The pub is owned by Charrington & Co.
• 1971 – 1972: The pub becomes a site for radical political mobilization, serving as a regular meeting place for the International Socialists (precursor to the SWP) due to its proximity to Wandsworth Town Hall.
• 1989: The Beer Orders legislation forces large brewers to release ties on pubs, triggering a period of instability for The Spotted Dog.
• 1993: J D Wetherspoon acquires the pub, rebranding it as “The Dalmatian” in an attempt to modernize the image while retaining a link to the name.
• It became a focal point for a “real ale” revival in the area.
• 1998: The pub is sold to Ambishus, a pub company, marking the end of the Wetherspoon era.
• Early 2000s: The pub passes to Planet Inns.
• During this period, original Victorian interior fittings (bar counters, glasswork) were threatened with disposal but partially saved by heritage activists.
• 2004 (March 9): A legal charge is placed on the property by The Royal Bank of Scotland.
• 2005: Ownership transfers to Woolwich Taverns, the final private equity owners.
• 2007 (January 1): The Spotted Dog closes permanently.
• 2008: The building is demolished to facilitate the expansion of the Southside Shopping Centre (formerly the Arndale).

Newspaper articles

South Western Star – Friday 18 November 1955

SUPT’S VISIT TO SPOTTED DOG

Licensee denies police allegations

A Wandsworth licensee denied at the South Western Magistrates’ Court on Friday police allegations that he had taken betting slips from customers in his pub.

Leonard Simmonds, licensee of the Spotted Dog in Garratt Lane, appeared on an adjourned summons for using the premises for the purpose of betting.

Evidence has already been given by two police officers who kept observation in the saloon bar that they saw customers hand money and slips to Simmonds. One officer said that on one occasion he saw Simmonds hand some notes and silver from the till to a man who came in and asked, “Anything for me?”

Supt. Potter said that on October 7 at 1.55 p.m. he entered the public-house with other officers. With Chief Inspector Preece he went to the private room behind the saloon bar, where he saw Mr. Simmonds engaged on the telephone. On the top of a cabinet he found a 10s. note, 6/6 silver, and a betting slip. He showed it to Simmonds and asked him what it was, and he replied, “A betting slip.” In a drawer of the cabinet he found a £1 note, 11/7½ in silver and bronze, 17 betting slips and six paying-out slips. Three of the slips referred to racing on that day and two of them were signed “Tubby.” One was written on a public-house menu card. Each of the paying-out slips showed a transaction with Simmonds.

DIFFERENT HANDWRITING

He then said to Simmonds, “Do you deny these premises are being used for the purpose of betting?” and he replied, “If any of my friends phone me up to put them on I do.” Witness then said, “These slips, then, should be in your handwriting?” He replied, “Should be, or my wife’s, if she answers when I am busy.” The 17 slips were all in different handwriting. He then asked Mrs. Simmonds, “Have you ever taken bets on the phone for your husband?” and she replied, “Never, I swear to that.”

Insp. Griffin said that when he entered the public-house with Supt. Potter there were eight men sitting in the saloon bar. Two of these, Samuel Weller and Charles Langley, he knew as bookmakers. In the corner he saw a man named Coombes, known as “Tubby.” He went up to Tubby and from the top of his boot removed a piece of blue paper in which was wrapped a 2/- piece. On it was written “Belladonna 1/- win; Beddington 1/- win. Double stakes up and down. Tubby 2/-.”

HAD WARNED BOOKMAKER

Simmonds, in evidence, denied all the allegations that customers handed him slips and money and said he had no recollection of handing a man money from the till after ringing up “No Sale.” If this did take place he was cashing a cheque. He did this for a certain section of his customers—log boys. When he went into his private room it was to get food. He had warned Langley, whom he knew as a street bookmaker, not to take bets on his premises.

The hearing was adjourned until November 19.

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Maps

1955 OS map