Mary and Gerry McMahon ran The Cobden together

THE family behind one of Camden Town’s best loved traditional pubs have bid a bittersweet farewell after 30 years. Landlady Mary McMahon has pulled her last pint at the Cobden Arms – or The Cobden – which she ran with her husband who died last year.

The traditional Irish pub in Camden High Street is now undergoing an extensive transformation with its new owners, Brondes Age Camden, putting up screens for live sports and a place for DJs playing until 2am on the weekends.

In a statement to the New Journal, Gerry and Mary McMahon’s sons and daughter – Gerrard, Sean and Jane – said: “Anyone who knows our mum, knows she is the hardest working woman going. Many told us on the last night she was a true legend and one of the kindest, generous souls around and that she truly is.

“Our parents worked so hard all our lives to give us the best and the closing of The Cobden is very bitter sweet as the plans they had, didn’t quite work out they way they wanted to as we devastatingly lost our beloved Dad in November 2022.

“So many great memories, not only for the McMahon family wrapped up there but I’m sure for lots of other families around Camden.”

Brondes Age Camden is moving in

Work taking place at the pub in Camden High Street

Mary and Gerry had always prided the Cobden as one of capital’s hubs for traditional Irish music and also a place where people could meet and hear themselves chat. Their daughter Jane said that regulars will be missing Mary’s “famous steak pie” and recalled how the pub had been used for “christenings, communions, weddings and funerals”.

She said her dad would been proud of the final send-off for the regulars on May 26, adding: “Mary and Gerry had a good eye for spotting trouble coming in and out of the door. So much so they never had bouncers on the door unless they were away.”

One regular Bob Dowling said: “Best of luck Mary, and family, Camden Town will never be the same again.”

The owner of Brondes Age said the bar would be very similar to the bar with the same name in Kilburn High Road.

Company director Olivia Isbitt said: “We have told lovely Mary that the pub is in good hands. We will be showing all the live sport with screens, and DJs playing Friday and Saturday nights. We have a 2am licence on the weekends. In the week we will be opening at 11am and it will be an all-day boozer but at night it will be more of a bar, not a club – just good vibes.

“It is a similar fit out to the Brondes Age in Kilburn. We have the same kitchen, simplistic but nice. Industrial, lots of brick and timber – it’s suitable for Camden. It is a full fit out, a six-week refurbishment, and we are hoping to open mid-July.”

Ms Isbitt, whose family own several bars and venues, said she planned to grow Brondes Age into more venues.

The new bar has a licence until 1am on weeknights and 2am on Friday and Saturday.