Fuller's 'Surprised' To Hear Concerns About The Black Horse
Company says it has no plans to close Greenford pub
The Black Horse pub in Greenford. Picture: Fuller's
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Fuller's, the owner of The Black Horse in Greenford, has said that it surprised that a petition has been launched to save The Black Horse in Greenford as it has no plans to close it.
Over one thousand people had signed the petition started by Ealing North MP James Murray just three days after he started it. He was responding to concerns that the much loved pub by the Grand Union Canal might be sold for redevelopment.
The MP wrote to Fuller's and he felt that the response from its Chief Executive was ambiguous. In his reply Simon Emeny said, “It has been interesting to see the development in Greenford and the recent sale of [nearby pub] The Railway. If we can see a strong future, particularly around strong local community engagement, we like to invest for the long term. If not we do look at alternatives.”
As a result Mr Murray launched a petition on Friday, 25 June, writing: “We are fortunate to have The Black Horse as a fantastic pub in the heart of Greenford. It has been an incredibly tough time under covid, but now the pub is open again and as popular as ever.
“However, rumours have been going round about the future of the pub. That's why I wrote to Fuller's, who own the pub, to ask them about their plans for its future - and I was worried by their reply.
“We need to make sure Fuller's know how strongly the local community feels about keeping this pub open. This is our chance to send a clear message to Fuller's – please sign my petition.”
The petition is online at www.jamesmurray.org/blackhorse.
A spokesperson for Fuller Smith & Turner said, “We are surprised to hear about the petition. As a long-standing owner and operator of pubs we only rarely sell sites, our preference is to invest and grow our share from competitors. Inevitably we do review our estate on a regular basis, but if we can see a strong future, particularly around strong local community engagement, we like to invest for the long term.
“Having been closed for so long, it's been good to reopen The Black Horse and we have no plans to close it. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that we can trade without restrictions from 19 July.”
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June 29, 2021
