“I would go with my friends to my favourite evening, which was Reggae Karaoke nights, on a Friday nights. It was a multipurpose space, spread across two floors; A room for proper sound system dances and parties; while the pub continued to function down stairs, it was amazing; there was a pool table area to the back of the pub, where you would pass to get to the garden area out back. Where more often than not you see the jerk pan fired up with smoke bellowing out. People standing around talking quietly, broken with impromptus raucous laugher followed with shhh, as we were always reminded the neighbours are spying on us, always complaining, and looking for any excuse to call the police and report us to the local authorities.”

- Tracey Jarrett

Black pubs, like the Flower of Kent, have been important gathering spaces for Black communities in London, offering a place to relax and connect. These pubs are often multigenerational, serving clients from ages 20 to 90, they are places where members of the community can come together with their friends and neighbours for music, parties, games, Caribbean food and more.

Mrs V Francis has a history of working at and managing Black pubs in the area including the Golden Archer in Nunhead, the Red Bull Walton Castle, Dartmouth in Catford Leyland Road, the Royal Standard in Tanners Hill, the Albertine Pub, the Pointers Bar in Ladywell and finally the Flower of Kent, many of which have since closed or been repurposed.

Before closing, the Albertine was known for its events, such as Reggae Karaoke nights, where people of all backgrounds came together. Tracey Jarrett aka Sista Jah Sun Ray remembers the Albertine as a place where black people gathered every week to socialise over a drink, have good conversation, eat Caribbean food, drink Stone Ginger Wine, a space submerged in Caribbean culture, a place to feel accepted, a home from home, a safe space which supported the mental wellbeing of all those who visited.