Popular east London pub boarded up as staff left 'without jobs overnight'
A popular Hackney pub has mysteriously been boarded up leaving staff 'without their jobs overnight'.
Metal panels were secured on the doors and windows of the White Hart in Stoke Newington on Wednesday, and Google Maps has been updated to say the pub has been temporarily closed.
In a statement to worried regulars on Instagram the pub explained that it was in a 'spat with our landlord' but said that the disagreement was 'nothing too serious'.
However, a member of staff at the pub has told the Standard that the post only reveals part of the truth. He said staff members had lost their jobs.
Any idea anyone?? https://t.co/xEhoc1p4qB pic.twitter.com/GwFqVh7Z9N
— Stokey Updates (@StokeyUpdates) February 4, 2025
The White Hart is run by the Antic Hospitality Group, a significant pub chain which entered administration last summer.
Antic ran 49 pubs in London in 2018, but many have now been forced to shut their doors since the staff member explained.
The pub group announced it could have to close 13 pubs last summer but the White Hart was not included in the list of venues at risk.
The list included The Elephant and Castle Pub, Tooting Tram and Social, The Clapton Hart and the Dogstar in Brixton.
An Instagram story from the White Hart's account said on Tuesday: 'Some of you have sent us a message of support and concern as our beautiful pub was boarded up today.
'A spat with our landlord but nothing too serious so we are somewhat surprised by the unexpected heavy heart this morning.
'Hopefully sense will prevail and we'll have the pub open soonest.'
A 'notice of peaceable re-entry' has reportedly been placed on the outside of the pub.
The notice explained that the lease has been forfeited and the premises have been secured.
The notice added that 'no one is allowed to lawfully enter the premises unless they have been given authorisation by the landlord'.
The Standard has contacted the White Hart and its landlord the Stonegate Pub Company for comment.
The temporary closure comes as another blow to London's pub scene, with the historic Ye Olde Swiss Cottage serving its last orders on Saturday.
London is down to around 3,400 pubs, with 34 closures every month in 2024.
Local Clerkenwell pub the Sekforde is also under threat of closure, following a number of complaints from its neighbours.
According to the pub, which is undergoing its second licence review in five years, complaints have been made to the council regarding noise generated from the open windows, as well as the sound one door makes when opened or closed.
Venue owners and business groups have warned over recent years that licensing decisions in many London boroughs are too prohibitive, and have forced pubs and clubs to close earlier than they would like.
In November 2024, the Globe pub in Marylebone had extra conditions imposed on it by Westminster Council after a man living nearby repeatedly complained about 'faint giggles and murmuring' from customers preventing him falling asleep.
Antic and Stonegate have both been contacted by the Standard for comment.
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