ByJennifer Lipman, Jennifer Lipman
A Golders Green pub will be celebrating the New Year with a kosher licence.
Earlier this year, the owners of The Castle, on the junction between Cricklewood Lane and Finchley Road, announced plans to rebrand as a Jewish venue.
For New Year's Eve revellers, its restaurant will be under Federation supervision.
The restaurant will serve kosher versions of pub staples, from an English breakfast to a Sunday roast, as well as traditional favourites such as salt beef and falafel.
Although the pub will open on Shabbat, it will serve only bar snacks and the restaurant will be shut. There are plans for a weekly Saturday night kosher barbecue. All alcohol on the premises will be kosher.
Following the award of the licence, 370 people attended a Chanucah party at The Castle.
Business partner Robert Greene said bookings and inquiries had been received from a range of Jewish organisations, as well as bar- and batmitzvah hosts.
There were also plans for communal organisations to run Friday-night and Shabbat events for young professionals at the venue.
"It's a great way to see in the New Year," Mr Greene said.
"Now we have the licence, we can really get going."