Pub threatened by closure - Locals and Camra unite to fight for Grosvenor Arms

Published: 28 January 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE owners of a Mayfair pub threatened by developers this week vowed to fight plans to turf them out. 

Rosemary John and Alan Weavis, who own the lease on the Grosvenor Arms in Grosvenor Street, have been backed by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and have received messages of support from around the world since being served with a notice to quit by the freeholders, Royal London Asset Management (RLAM).

The City-based pensions firm have yet to secure planning permission to convert the building into offices but have given the publicans a deadline of March 16 – just two months from now – to clear out.

Ms John said: “Without a doubt we are going to fight this. There is a Starbucks next door and an HSBC on the other side but they have picked on us because we are small beer.” 

Loyal customers  include tailors from nearby Savile Row and United Airlines pilots – who are eligible for a free pint as part of a promotion with the airline.

Ms John, who has run the pub with her business partner Mr Weavis for around two years, says they had turned the premises from being “famous for all the wrong reasons” into “a classic London pub”. As well as serving traditional British food, the Grosvenor hosts live music sessions, quiz nights, darts tournaments and karaoke. It is one of just two independently owned pubs in Mayfair, the other being The Punch Bowl.

On Tuesday, campaigners including a film producer and the chairman of the Bank of Pakistan massed outside the pub to show their opposition to the plans.

Ron Whelan, secretary of the North Mayfair Residents’ Group, said: “What makes the Grosvenor Arms unique in the West End is not just the quality of the beer and food but the fact that Rosemary and Alan put up their own money to acquire the lease and have successfully turned it into a thriving social establishment.”

A spokeswoman for Royal London Asset Management said: “Under the terms agreed to by the current tenant, Sherborne Pub Co, RLAM reserved the right to terminate the lease on serving two months' notice. 

“The property is in a poor state of repair and requires significant building work and refurbishment. RLAM obtained planning consent from Westminster City Council to change the use of the pub and install a retail shop front on August 11, 2009,­ as part of a wider application which includes the two adjoining buildings. RLAM intends to implement this consent. Further consent is not required to change the use from pub to shop. The Localism Bill will have no affect on the use of this building and had no bearing on the current course of action.”

- See Letters