Despite scores of pub closures in the Cockney heartlands of E1 and E14 there is on occasion a good news back from the dead story on the old manor.

Although the areas architecture and demographics of residents and drinkers in most surviving pubs are a marked contrast from their heyday up until the late 1990’s the flame just about still burns here.

For a number of years the pub was left to decay. She stood gaunt and unloved whilst shuttered up as property guardians lived within to keep squatters out. Despite being Grade II listed I never believed it would become a pub again and suspected a change of use to a place of worship or a community centre.

Having drunk in the pub in the past I was delighted to hear that Ei (Enterprise Inns) had taken the pub on and planned to give it a dynamic refurbishment. It’s hard to put into words and do justice the amount of money, love and care that has been poured into bringing the pub back to life. The area is much richer for it. For a long time at the end of its last life the interior was tired and dark. Finally the exterior pub splendour is matched with a radiant interior to compliment such architectural majesty.

In the shadow of Hawksmoor’s stunning St. Anne’s Church from the road it’s one of the most imposing East London boozers going (and gives The Earl of Essex and Boleyn a run for their money) and it was a tragedy that it had been left empty to rot for so long. Its splendour dominated the Commercial Road and although its body was broken and its heart had died, its spirit still lingered. Sleeping. It has now been awoken.

I last visited in August 2015 just prior to closure and the place was on its knees heading for the grave. The soul had gone from the building and it was rarely busy often with just a smattering of old boys propping up the bar in what felt like God’s waiting room. Anyone familiar with dying pubs in their death throes that didn’t turn on the electricity to save a few quid will be able to picture the regular scene that was set here. I suspect that it made more money on the pool table than it did from the bar.

Fast forward over 3 years and the changes are massive. To really appreciate the restoration I encourage you tp visit, but the retention of so many original features is nothing short of spectacular. I was very graciously permitted access to document the transition as it happened by new Guv’nor Samantha, and the before-and-after shots speak for themselves. The warmth that has been created with the gold gilding, beautiful wooden flooring, wood burners and lighting makes the Star a pub to linger in to drink in the beauty of your surroundings. It’s retained so much of the past with the original bar being kept, yet there are touches of the modern too and this fusion really works.

For a many years the interior was tired and dark creating a depressing mortuary type vibe. The transformation of the upstairs restaurant area and toilets is a wonder to behold and dining up in its warm cocoon away from the thundering traffic on Commercial Road is a treat for any local.

The courtyard garden, which was nothing more than a car port and a place for smokers to congregate in between frames of pool, is now the jewel in its crown. Leisurely summer afternoons out the back here are the stuff of dreams which, against all odds, have become a reality. This stretch of the Commercial Road was crying out for a proper pub. It’s now got it.