Celeb regulars in fight to save The Engineer - customers fear takeover will see pub lose its character

Published: 09 June 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

REGULARS at a popular gastropub – including a host of famous faces – are battling to save an iconic gastropub from being turned into “another faceless chain” venue.

Customers of The Engineer in Primrose Hill have been spurred into action after Mitchells & Butlers announced their intention to take over the running of the indepen­dent local.

The move will end the 17-year management by Abigail Osbourne and Tamsin Olivier, who took on what was then a down-at-heel boozer in 1994 and transformed it into one of the capital’s best-loved pubs, known for its relaxed atmosphere and great food. 

Ms Olivier, the actress daughter of Oscar-winner Lord Olivier and Joan Plowright, and painter Ms Osbourne, who had no previous experience in the industry, said they have become victims of their own success.

They are set to lose the Gloucester Avenue business to M&B, who own the freehold and whose 1,600-pub empire in­cludes Harvester, All Bar One and O’Neill’s pubs.

Jane Robbins, who has launched the “engineered out” campaign to save the pub, said: “We simply cannot lose our Engineer.

“Not only is it a Primrose Hill icon and landmark, it’s the only place that any time of the day or night you are welcomed as an old friend, poured an extremely decent glass of wine and served consistently delicious food whether it be breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner, no matter who you are.”

The decision has also alarmed trustees of the Hope Foundation – a charity that works with street children in Calcutta – who have received more than £50,000 in donations from the pub. Staff add a discretionary charge of 50p on to every bill and the cash goes straight to the charity.

Trevor Stroud, a trustee, said: “It is a very simple scheme but it makes up about 25 per cent of our income.”

A spokesman for M&B defended the takeover. “The Engineer remains one of the best pubs owned by Mitchells & Butlers and we intend to continue running it as a unique, warm and welcoming place when the current lease expires,” he said. 

“We have no intention of converting The Engineer to any sort of chain or branded operation.”

The famous names speaking out to save The Engineer:

• Louise Shackleton described the pub where her husband David Miliband had his 40th birthday party as an “institution”. She added: “It is a very precious place and very much part of the community.”
• Comedian Harry Enfield said: “I had my wedding lunch here, and lots of birthday parties. It’s like if you said to Manchester United football club, we’re gonna get rid of Alex Ferguson. They’d probably save some money but the fans and players aren’t going to be happy. It’s the same here – this will not be a popular decision.”
• Actor Robert Powell said: “Abi and Tamsin have built this into a fantastic – I hate to use the word gastropub – but award-winning restaurant, and it would be criminal to lose it just because the brewery want to turn it into an All Bar One. All Bar One belongs in Leicester Square, not in Primrose Hill.”
•Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding said: “It’s such a beautiful pub and such a lovely area, it’s like being in Europe. I used to come and have lunch when I was working around the corner and it was always impossible to go back.”
• Horse racing TV presenter John McCririck said: “Thousands of pubs are closing around the country but this pub is part of the heritage we’ve got in Primrose Hill. It has got its own niche, and clearly has a huge support base.”
• Actor Christopher Biggins, who is a patron of the Hope Foundation, said: “We all know that the financial situation means there is very little money around. This pub has donated a fantastic amount of money and it is completely wrong that this will end.”
• Model and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon said: “I spend most of my weekends here – I come here for eggs benedict, then back for Sunday lunch. I’ll be in and out for coffee and meetings. It’s just got such a great atmosphere and the food is epic. It’s got a real community feel.”

Pictured: Noel Fielding, Tamsin Olivier and Abigail Osbourne, general manager Ed Francis, Jonathan Pryce, Lisa Snowdon, Christopher Biggins, Robert Powell and John McCririck at an event held at the Engineer on Tuesday to raise the profile of the campaign to prevent the pub from becoming part of a chain and to retain its identity