The Story
Built on the site of a market and cauliflower patch, the present building dates from 1900, replacing a predecessor from the previous century. It opened as a pub and hotel — apparently a high-class establishment, which is easy to believe given its impressive architectural presence. By the 1970s it had become a live music hotspot; Ian Dury and the Blockheads played here, a natural local venue for Mr Dury who hailed from nearby Upminster. When featured in London's Heritage Pubs in 2008, Geoff Brandwood and Jane Jephcote noted it retained vestiges of a truly wonderful interior — etched and polished glass, an impressive central bar — while also pointing out that some traditional-looking features like the drinking alcoves had actually been added in the latter half of the twentieth century. The pub closed briefly in 2013, terrifying locals who feared a Tesco Metro conversion, but quickly reopened under 18-year-old landlord Reiss Matto, who pledged to restore it to its former glory. Disaster struck again in 2018 when a fire caused serious damage. Matto offered reassurance in the local press that the damage was not extensive and he hoped to reopen by year end. This never happened. The Cauliflower remains shuttered, listed as a vacant pub on property websites. No residential or retail conversion has been announced — it could yet flower again.
Ghost Hunter mode reveals 500+ closed and demolished pubs on the PINtPOINT radar — each one a room that once poured pints on that exact street corner.