'I'm worried pub at heart of community will close'

Yahoo

2 days ago

A landlord who has poured "heart, time and money" into a south London pub says it is under threat of closure and is looking for investors to help save it.
Clement Ogbonnaya, who has run the Queen of the South pub in Tulse Hill since it opened in May 2023, says Young's, which owns the freehold, "gave us a deadline to buy it back or risk losing it forever".
The pub, named in homage to his mother, wife and two daughters, replaced the White Hart pub, which needed a new roof, was infested with rats and had rotting floors.
He said: "We've got rid of that ugly tooth on the high street and created a communal space as a hub, a meeting place, a place to celebrate, a place to mourn, a place to share ideas."
A Young's spokesperson said: "We remain in exclusive negotiations with Clement regarding the freehold of the pub and have not had any conversations with any other potential bidders regarding the site."
The Queen of the South is also used as a community space by organisations including Age UK and UK Youth, a charity which supports young people.
"The pub we poured heart, time, and money into, is now under threat," Mr Ogbonnaya said in a public appeal on Instagram.
"I believe in what this place represents. And I'm not backing down. You survive alone or you thrive together. We choose to thrive."
He called for potential investors to come forward to "save our queen".
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Mr Ogbonnaya told BBC London he stood "to lose everything I've invested in".
He added: "I wanted to create a Soho House for the ends. We like to say we represent the other.
"It would be a massive shame for this pub to become a Lidl or something else. We're finally finding our feet. The Queen of the South needs to exist."
Mr Ogbonnaya says he has been "humbled" by the community's response to the threat of closure.
'Continue to thrive'
A Young's spokesperson said: "We recognise the significance of the Queen of the South pub in Tulse Hill as an important part of the local community and have been engaging with Clement Ogbonnaya to reach an agreement that will ensure its continued operation under the current management.
"At Young's, ensuring pubs remain vibrant parts of their local communities is an important part of our ethos.
"Following our acquisition of City Pub Group in 2024, it was always our intention that this pub remain independent to best serve its community, and we sincerely hope that a solution can be reached that will enable the pub to continue to thrive."
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