Greater Reading Lib Dems

Cllr Gareth Epps has vowed to fight attempts to permanently close successful community pubs in Reading after talking to publicans and customers about Enterprise Inns' forced closure of the Jolly Anglers pub in Newtown - the latest 'local' to suddenly close.

Gareth visited publican John Westendorp on Tuesday evening (16 June) after news broke that he been given less than one day's notice to close the pub, after Enterprise representatives suddenly announced that the pub had been sold to developers (although it does not have permission for a change of use to stop being a pub). He joined customers savouring what they feared may be the last night of the pub. He spoke to two customers who told him they had submitted serious offers to Enterprise Inns to keep the pub open - which were treated dismissively by the giant pubco. Gareth also reassured residents that there would be widespread political support for a campaign to save the pub. He has also, as a member of Reading CAMRA, discussed the closure with CAMRA officers.

The Anglers' closure follows mounting concern at the way pub companies have sold and closed often successful pubs which host community events and provide valuable local services. The sudden closure of the Claddagh Ring on Elgar Road (now reopened) in the winter is one local example of an Enterprise Inns pub; other pubs currently boarded up include the County Arms on Watlington Street, the Whitley Tavern and the Red Cow in Caversham.

Among the 'pubcos', the giant Enterprise Inns has a particular notoriety in the pub trade for selling pubs with restrictive covenants forbidding their future use as a pub - even when there is no other pub in the area. Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland who chairs the 'Save the Pub' campaign has suggested that Enterprise's business is founded on a mountain of debt - an unsustainable business model which rips the heart out of local community pubs in particular.

The Business & Enterprise Select Committee published in May 2009 a report, agreed unanimously by MPs of all three parties, which was highly critical of the business practices of the largest pubcos in particular and called for swift Government action on the issue.

Commenting on the closure, Gareth said:-
"This pub has been turned in just three months into a thriving community facility that is popular and much-loved. Enterprise Inns - notorious for their destruction of community pubs across the UK - have given this successful publican just a few hours' notice to shut. It is outrageous treatment of John and the Newtown community he serves.

"If Enterprise think or claim that they can gain planning permission for the closure of this pub, they can think again. They cannot shut successful community pubs at a whim. Corporate bullies such as Enterprise Inns are increasingly going to find that communities fight back in a united and positive way. Newtown will not allow 'Time' to be called on the Anglers.

"This local example highlights a set of wider issues that require action from local and national Government. It is time that good community pubs were cherished, before they are gone forever."

Greater Reading Lib Dems

News

Save our Pubs says Gareth Epps After Popular Newtown Pub Suddenly Shuts
18 June 2009

Greater Reading Lib Dems

News

Save our Pubs says Gareth Epps After Popular Newtown Pub Suddenly Shuts 18 June 2009

Save our Pubs says Gareth Epps After Popular Newtown Pub Suddenly Shuts
18 June 2009