Landlord and darts fan Richard Tucker

A CLERKENWELL boozer that has been described as the “mecca” of London’s darts pubs will close today, much to the sadness of the city’s arrows aficionados.

The Horseshoe, tucked away in a backstreet behind Clerkenwell Green, has been run by Richard and Pauline Tucker since 1990. The couple are retiring and have handed the keys over to new owners, who will reopen next year.

Self-described by Mr Tucker as a “proper boozer”, the establishment has been host to darts competitions and casual matches in its upstairs since it opened 36 years ago.

Mr Tucker is a casual darts player himself and regularly takes part in leagues and competitions.

“I’ve known a lot of the darts players here from day one,” he told the Tribune. “Some of them have been having a throw here for 30 years. I’m not just their local publican, I’m friends with all these guys.

The Horseshoe pub, behind Clerkenwell Green

“And as much as they are crying their heart out that the pub is going, they appreciate what I’ve done, and that I need to retire.”

The Tribune understands that whilst the new owners have assured Mr Tucker they want to keep the pub’s “proper boozer” status, it is likely they will convert the upstairs and remove the pub’s darts rooms, signalling the end of an era.

The watering hole has become the official home of the City of London Darts Association (COLDA) whose 700-plus members use it for their matches and tournaments every week.

Paul Clark, COLDA’s chairman, told the Tribune that news of the closure had rocked London’s darts community.

He said: “It’s a huge loss to the community. There just aren’t many multi-board venues left in London like the Horseshoe. It’s just a fantastic boozer, the true home of darts in London. Whenever you go in there you see someone you know from the community.

Steve Beaton and COLDA member Glyn

“Pubs for playing darts definitely cater for an older audience and so we’re seeing less and less. They’re dwindling – lots of them are being converted into wine bars and the like.”

Mr Clark added that COLDA were now working hard to find a new venue to host their tournaments. Over the years, the Horseshoe has seen a host of darts A-listers like Phil “The Power” Taylor and Steve “the Bronzed Adonis” Beaton come in for a pint and a chuck.

And it is not just members of the darts world who have given the pub its reputation.

Originally built in the 1800s – the pub’s interior has been used in the filming of TV shows like Gangs of London and has seen Heath Ledger act within its walls. It was even the first-ever meeting place of the London Tattoo Society.

Mr Tucker said that the type of pub he has operated – with a focus on darts, community and no-nonsense chit-chat – was disappearing in London, squeezed out by “red tape” and the emergence of the gastropub.

The Horseshoe has been run by Richard and Pauline Tucker since 1990

“My type of pub is designed for 18-year-olds and 88-year-olds to get on with each other. It makes for a really good local, no trouble or anything,” he said.

“Everyone respects me and my wife Pauline, who is as straight as a die. If she threw a right hook at you, you’d probably be more happy to get one off me.

“We’ve seen the area change massively, with Exmouth Market and things like that. For many people, there’s no reason to come to a boozer like this, unless you like darts.”

There will be one final competition and knees-up this evening (Friday), before the pub closes for renovation for nine months. Mr Tucker said he was feeling sad and reflective, yet proud of what he had accomplished.

In their retirement, he said he plans to go on weekends away with Pauline and spend more time with his grandchildren – and he will keep playing darts.