CHUCKING OUT TIME
Further to the item in News and views, I should add that rent arrears or other breaches of conditions are not the only reasons for which a pub owning business (POB) can remove a sitting tenant. Under Section 20 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954, a landlord can refuse to renew a tenant’s lease, even if the tenant has behaved faultlessly, if the landlord claims that he wants to use the premises for his own purposes. For POBs, this is usually their wanting to convert the pub into a managed house. As an example, see the item on the Plough on page 31. This provision does not just apply to pubs or business premises. It is common to property law in England and Wales and there is a similar provision (Section 21) for residential lettings.
OFF THE ROAD
J D Wetherspoon’s have announced that they have put the Hope & Champion up for sale (HP9 2SE). This is the pub which they built, somewhat controversially, at Beaconsfield Services at Junction 2 of the M40 and it is still the only pub in Britain situated on a motorway service area. No reason has been given for the sale.
THE WINCHESTER TAVERN
This historic pub, originally the Winchester Hall Hotel, on Archway Road (N6 5BA) has appeared several times in our Pub News column since it closed in 2014. The upper floors have been turned into residential accommodation and several attempts were made to do likewise with the ground floor. Thanks to concerted local opposition, these all failed. The site is listed as an Asset of Community Value and its interior is listed by CAMRA as being of historic interest.
In June this year it was understood that the ground floor and basement were still available to rent and now a company called the Winchester Public House limited has applied to Haringey Council for licences for both alcohol and music (live and recorded). They should have the support of many in the local community. We can only hope that they are successful. With thanks to Joanne Scott for the photo.
REDCAT PUBS
Further to the item on page 31, two of RedCat’s recent acquisitions are in west London. These are the Goose, Fulham (SW6 1NL) and the Colton Arms, West Kensington (W14 9SD).
THE BARNET BREWERY
We have learned, sadly, that the Barnet Brewery, which also produces Hadley beers, has had to close. The brewery was based in the Black Horse pub in High Barnet (EN5 4BW). The pub’s operators, Oak Taverns, only leased the pub from Heineken and they have now surrendered their lease. The pub, it is presumed, has become a Star Pubs & Bars outlet, just selling national brands.
PARK BREWERY
The brewery liaison officers, Gill and Dave Morgan, have sent in the following news. Park ran a pop-up bar (keg only) at AFC Wimbledon’s new stadium, upon the club’s return to Plough Lane. The brewery were also unexpectedly allowed a stand at Kingston University Freshers Week. Park’s emphasis continues to be on keg while, in addition, their web shop offered a range of 13 canned beers at the time of writing. Now pubs are open again, however, they are looking at what is a less crowded real ale market. The Norbiton (KT2 6PW) and the Black Horse (KT2 6QP) continue to offer cask versions of some beers. Brewer Josh will, as usual, be experimenting with Christmas ales in some form.