Leamington landlady launches campaign to fight for future of pub
A Leamington landlady has launched a campaign to fight for the future of the pub she runs.
Carmen Anderson says that just weeks before she was going to celebrate the 12-month anniversary of her taking over as the landlady at The New Bulldog in St Margarets Road, she has been told by the pub’s owner Punch Pubs is proposing to end her tenancy.
She said this would remove important rights otherwise available to her.
She added: “It also follows the denial of discussions around a more substantial agreement which would have provided the security needed to invest in the pub's future and develop it as a true community venue.”
Carmen is “asking everyone who values community spaces” to make a donation, share the pub’s story on social media, attend events or simply spread the word.
She said: “If Punch's plans proceed, both the community and I will lose any meaningful autonomy over decisions relating to the pub.
"This includes preventing the opening of a kitchen to provide affordable food to local people and restricting the use of the function room for community events, activities and gatherings. “Instead, the pub would become a purely wet-led operation, with Punch controlling sales and income while retaining the vast majority of the profits.
"Our vision for The New Bulldog has always been to create a thriving community hub that brings people together, supports local groups, provides affordable food, hosts events and gives residents a genuine voice in its future.
"We believe pubs should be at the heart of their communities, not simply operated as profit centres with decisions made elsewhere.”
Punch is transferring The New Bulldog from its leased and tenanted estate to its management partner estate on September 1.
The company has invited Carmen to apply for the future position of management partner for the pub.
Refurbishment works will take place at The New Bulldog in September with the pub re-opening shortly after.
A Punch Pubs spokesman said: "We are excited to offer our guests an improved experience at The New Bulldog once our planned refurbishment gets underway.
“We understand how important the pub is locally and we will continue to ensure it remains a community-focused pub."
Follow the pub on Facebook here www.facebook.com/TheNewBulldogLeamington or Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/newbulldogleamington/