In the heart of South London, Prince of Peckham is transforming the traditional British pub experience.
Founded in 2017 by Clement Ogbonnaya, the pub stands as a beacon of inclusivity, culture, and community.
As part of The Village People Group, a network of community-driven pubs, it has gained widespread recognition, winning Pub of the Year at the Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards in 2023.
For Ogbonnaya, a Nigerian-born entrepreneur raised in South London, the Prince of Peckham is more than just a pub—it’s a movement. It was designed to create a welcoming space that reflects the rich cultural diversity of the neighborhood.
The pub’s name pays tribute to Desmond’s, the beloved British sitcom set in Peckham, and its character Lee “The Peckham Prince”, who embodied the area’s spirit.
A Vision Shaped by Personal Experience
Ogbonnaya’s journey began at the age of six when his family moved to the UK from Nigeria in search of better opportunities.
He recalls feeling unwelcome upon arrival, an experience that later fueled his desire to create spaces where people from all backgrounds feel at home.
He attended school in South London while his parents worked tirelessly—his father as a taxi driver and his mother at Southwark Council.
Before launching his first pub, Ogbonnaya was a music promoter, organizing events across London. His passion for nightlife and entertainment naturally influenced Prince of Peckham’s vibrant atmosphere, where music, culture, and hospitality blend seamlessly.
Creating a Pub for the Community
Growing up in Peckham, Ogbonnaya observed that pubs, a central part of British social life, rarely resonated with the Black community.
Determined to change this, he envisioned a venue that retained the classic pub feel while ensuring everyone felt welcome.
“Community has become so much more important to me as I’ve grown up,” he shared. “A pub that serves the whole community is absolutely essential.”
More Than Just a Pub
Prince of Peckham is built on collaboration rather than competition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided free spaces for elderly residents, helped couples plan weddings, and remained a pillar of support for the local community. Events like the White Horse Pub Takeover, where pubs swap DJs and menus, highlight Ogbonnaya’s commitment to fostering shared success within the industry.
The venue is also multifunctional—by day, it welcomes remote workers and professionals, and by night, it transforms into a hub for live entertainment, sports screenings, and cultural celebrations.
Looking ahead, Ogbonnaya believes pubs will continue to evolve into multifaceted spaces that cater to modern lifestyles. “Pubs will evolve—they have to,” he explains. “But at their core, they’ll always be about community.”
Expanding the Vision
Six years after opening Prince of Peckham, Ogbonnaya launched a second venue, Queen of the South, in Tulse Hill in May 2023. This new pub, dedicated to the women who shaped his life, further cements his mission to redefine pub culture in the UK—one inclusive space at a time.
