MP Urges Pub Companies to Take on the Black Horse

James Murray draws their attention to 'exciting opportunity'

James Murray MP and the Protect the Black Horse group outside parliament this December

February 8, 2023

The MP for Ealing North, James Murray, has written to ten leading pub companies urging them to consider the ‘exciting opportunity’ presented by the sale of the Black Horse pub in Greenford.

Fuller’s decided to close the pub this January just three years short of its 300th anniversary despite campaigning by the ‘Protect the Black Horse’ community group which Mr Murray helped to set up.

The pub is now being offered for sale, but it is feared that, if no buyer comes forward, the canal side site will be redeveloped into a block of flats which could bring in a huge profit for the owner.

Fuller’s would need to show that the pub is unviable to get permission for a change of use for the site and because it has been listed as an Asset of Community Value there is an extra layer of protection.

In launching the appeal for a new owner, the MP said, “Regulars at the Black Horse from across Greenford and beyond have been left shocked and upset at the pub’s sudden closure. With the right business model, this pub could be a great success once again. I am appealing to other pub companies to look at buying the Black Horse and bringing it back into use. I very much hope that we will be able to celebrate the Black Horse’s 300th anniversary in 2026 with a pint the reopened pub.”

The Black Horse in Greenford is currently boarded up

The Chiswick-based pub company has told Mr Murray that the Black Horse will be put up for sale in the coming months through property agents AG&G. He has decided to help Fuller’s in their marketing efforts by writing to other pub chains highlighting the attractions of the Black Horse to be doubly sure every potential buyer is aware of the sale.

In his letter he says, “Its unique location on the Grand Union Canal makes it an attractive and practical place for families, workers, and regulars from right across the local community to come together. The potential pool of customers is expanding rapidly, as the 8.64-hectare Greenford Quay residential development is a stone’s throw away. The first phases of this development have recently completed, and when the whole masterplan has been delivered in the next few years, it will represent a gain of more than 2,000 homes immediately opposite the pub.”

He continues, “I am contacting you to draw this exciting opportunity to your attention. I am confident that with the right business model, this pub could be a great success once again. I do not think Fuller’s approach to running the pub has been the correct way to make it profitable, and I would be very happy to speak with you to share my views on this, and to give you any further background on the pub, if that would be helpful.”

Although Fuller’s will be advertising the pub for sale, it will not be obliged to accept any offer received and will be able to proceed to demolition if it can demonstrate no serious interest was forthcoming at the market value of the site.