Holly Bush pub is sold, but major changes barred!

IT has an illustrious history, once ­hosting art lectures by Constable, gas-lit debates on the uses of his invention by the father of electricity Michael Faraday, and even the first public meeting in 1829 to safeguard ­Hampstead Heath from developers.
However, in more recent times the Holly Bush pub has been known for its traditional ales and gastro-food.
And now the Grade-II listed local in Hampstead Village, which has been serving pints since 1807, has been sold by its private owner to London brewer Fuller’s.
Developer Simon Kirkham, who has owned the Holly Bush in Hollymount for 10 years, sold the popular watering hole two days before Christmas.
The historic building, which stands on the site of an old stable block and dates back to around 1800, is a favourite in Hampstead.
But Mr Kirkham, 39, who is best known for developing the Westbourne Studios complex in west London, has reassured customers that the much-loved establishment is not in danger.
“There were a number of interested parties that I could have got a lot more money from, but I know they would have had different views on what ­constitutes a great pub,” he said.
“I feel confident that Fuller’s want to keep the Holly Bush as it is. The only change they want to make is to introduce their flagship ale London Pride – I think the customers can cope with that.”
In January, Fuller’s also bought The Flask in Highgate Village from pub chain Mitchell and Butlers in a three-pub deal reportedly worth £8million.
They also own the Doric Arch in Euston Square, the Euston Flyer in Euston Road and the Jack Horner in Tottenham Court Road.
A Fuller’s spokesman said: “The Holly Bush is one of the best pubs in London with a fabulous reputation and we love it the way it is.”
Hampstead historian Christopher Wade, who wrote The Streets of Hampstead, said: “It had humble beginnings as a catering place for Romney House, which was a cultural centre for Hampstead at the turn of the 19th century. Then it became a tavern in its own right, and garnered quite a reputation. The historian Adolphe Oppe called it at the turn of the 20th century ‘a dirty heaving centre of drunkenness’. I believe things have since improved.”
JOSIE HINTON

Future of the Duke hangs in the balance

IT wins a Campaign for Real Ale award almost every year and is one of the last independent pubs in Hampstead – but now the future of the Duke of Hamilton in New End could be in doubt.
The Duke, known to locals as “Woodies” after the Wooderson family who have run it for more than a decade, is owned by the Wellington Pub Company. The owners have drawn up plans to assess what the future holds for the pub.
Michael Wooderson, who runs the pub with his wife Mary, said they had not heard from the freeholders whether they intended to extend their lease, due to expire in March, and said no plans had yet been made as to what may happen to the award-winning local. Rumours the pub could be turned into flats have no basis in fact, he added.
Mr Wooderson said: “The owners are currently considering what they want to do.”
DAN CARRIER