It closed in around 2004, and was named Maddigan's at the time of closure. There has been much rebuilding and the pub now looks radically different from your 1997 photo. It is not clear whether or not it will reopen as a pub. ***
Horse & Groom in 1997 (thumbnail) , renamed the Hobsons Choice in 1994
Kindly Provided by Rosemary Wenzerul
A listing of historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Hackney, Middlesex - now in East London. The Hackney, East London listing uses information from census, Trade Directories and History to add licensees, bar staff, Lodgers and Visitors.

Horse & Groom, 255 Mare Street - in September 2006
The following entries are in this format:
Year/Publican or other Resident/Relationship to Head and or Occupation/Age/Where Born/Source.
1874/Arthur E Rider/../../../Middlesex Post Office Directory ****
1881/John
North/Licensed
Victualler/45/Bethnal Green, Middlesex/Census ****
1881/Amelia North/Wife/35/Lambeth, Surrey/Census
1881/Amelia North/Daughter/20/Bethnal Green, Middlesex/Census
1881/John William North/Son/18/Bethnal Green, Middlesex/Census
1881/Sarah Mary Ann North/Daughter/13/Bethnal Green, Middlesex/Census
1881/Frederick Walter North/Son/11/City Of London, Middlesex/Census
1881/Louisa North/Daughter/9/City Of London, Middlesex/Census
1881/Albert James North/Son/2/Hackney, Middlesex/Census
1881/Matilda Emma Chubb/General Servant/14/Whitechapel,
Middlesex/Census
1896/Edward Thos Ginder/../../../Post Office Directory ****
1899/Wm Alex Lulham Lashmar & Co/../../../Post Office Directory ****
1910/Mrs Ada Emily Beech/../../../Post Office Directory ****
1912-13/Jack Hyam Myers/../../../Hackney & Homerton Street Directory **
1915/Hyam Myers/../../../Post Office Directory ****
1921/Hyam Myers/../../../Post Office Directory ****
1934/Frank Rosher/../../../Kelly's ****
1938/Frank Rosher/../../../Post Office Directory ****
1944/Frank Rosher/../../../Post Office Directory ****
** Provided by Rosemary Wenzerul
*** Provided by Stephen Harris
**** Provided By Kevan