Hand and Shears, Farringdon, EC1 (2835149161)

The Hand and Shears is a Grade II listed

public house A pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term ''public house'' first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and wa ...

at 1 Middle Street, Smithfield, London. It is on the Campaign for Real Ale's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. It was built in the early-mid 19th century. It was named after the former

Bartholomew Fair The Bartholomew Fair was one of London's pre-eminent summer charter fairs. A charter for the fair was granted to Rahere by Henry I to fund the Priory of St Bartholomew; and from 1133 to 1855 it took place each year on 24 August within the preci ...

, held at Smithfield for centuries, at which the

Lord Mayor of London The Lord Mayor of London is the mayor of the City of London and the leader of the City of London Corporation. Within the City, the Lord Mayor is accorded precedence over all individuals except the sovereign and retains various traditional pow ...

would come and cut a piece of cloth with a pair of shears to announce that the fair had begun.

References

Grade II listed pubs in the City of London National Inventory Pubs Smithfield, London {{pub-stub