Leicester pub regulars lose plea to celebrate Christmas
Regulars at a doomed pub say they are "gutted" after their plea for one last Christmas was turned down.
Since 1988, patrons from the Pump and Tap, in Braunstone Gate, have had their picture taken every Christmas Day to celebrate the occasion.
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Gaz Hunt, manager of the Pump and Tap, will have little to celebrate
About 200 regulars pose for a photograph outside and the pictures are hung on the wall of the pub.
On Wednesday, October 21, lease holder John Husain received a letter from De Montfort university telling him he had five weeks to leave the building.
He met with representatives from the university and asked for a one-month extension to the lease so the pub regulars could have one final Christmas together.
Mr Husain said: "It just seemed cruel that we weren't allowed to give the pub and its regulars a big send-off, in what is traditionally one of the best days of the year at the Pump and Tap.
"As a pub and business we've supported the university for years with fund-raisers for the students' union, but I can't see anything that they're doing to support the local community."
The university gave John and his staff until Friday, November 27, to leave the pub – 10 days before the pub's 21st anniversary.
A De Montfort University spokesman said there was no legal reason why they were not extending the contract, but they wanted to get the site clear ready for demolition – possibly before Christmas.
He said: "Once the lease expires, which we did let the tenants know about in advance, we want to take possession to prepare the site for demolition as the next stage in providing the new sports facility.
"We appreciate the views expressed by some people regarding the timing, but our intentions regarding the site have been reported for a considerable amount of time."
Selina Conroy, 28, who works behind the bar part-time, said: "Christmas gives people a chance to bring their families down and the feeling you get is so friendly and warm.
"The atmosphere is fantastic, some people even bring presents for each other – and the staff do very well out of drinks."
Ashleigh Carnell, 36, from Western Park, said: "Christmas Day is great – everyone comes down and has a drink and it would be a fitting send-off for the pub if we are allowed one last Christmas together.
"I come down three or four times a week just to catch up with people and see friends, and there's a fear that when the pub closes people will start to drift apart.
"I was very sad when I heard how soon they wanted to close us down. I thought we would have at least got Christmas out of the way."
Demolition work has begun on the nearby Bowstring railway bridge to make way for the university leisure centre and pool, despite a hard-fought campaign to save the bridge and the pub.
May, 43, and Brian Newberry, 59, from Narborough Road South, have been visiting the pub for about 19 years.
Brian said: "This place has been part of our lives for a very long time. It's like nowhere else in the city. It is a hub of diversity with people from all walks of life coming here and getting on so well.
"The city council has behaved deplorably. They have a duty of care to the residents and they haven't fulfilled it."
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by Sandie, Westcotes
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 3:15PM
“Yes, this is a developing story and the Mercury are absolutely right to report on news that is important to Leicester residents.
Individually we may not be interested in a particular story but there are plenty of other local people who will be.
Article 1 (October 28th) reported the shocking news that time had been given on the Pump & Tap. This, I can assure you, was a complete shock to both staff and locals.
Article 2 (October 29th) reported that the owner of the business would make a huge loss through the sudden closure and put out his plea to DMU to extend the notice to include a last Christmas in the pub. It is quite usual, when business premises are to remain empty, that a rolling month by month extension to the lease is offered. This I know to be fact from personal experience.
Article 3 (November 3rd) reported that a meeting had taken place between the owner of the business and DMU regarding a possible extension and that this had been refused. This was truly saddening news for many of the pub's regulars as well as devastating for staff to be made redundant just weeks before Christmas.
Important points to be remembered are that just 7 days ago, DMU were still stating that they didn't know whether the pub would have to be demolished for sure and also that LCC are continuing with their actions to demolish Leicester's historic landmark bridge that sits alongside the pub despite being fully aware of an ongoing appeal with English Heritage. This unbelievable arrogance shows clearly that they have no regard or respect for the wishes of the residents of Leicester, English Heritage or the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Truly incredible.”
by Concerned about Leicester's Landmarks, Essex
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 2:55PM
“C, West End
How has your point developed since you first raised it?
I think you're repeating yourself ;-)”
by C, West End
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 2:47PM
“How has this story developed since it was reported twice last week??
The fact it is hasn't- the pub is still shutting and the bridge is still going. If this article has a development about a new protest it may be more news worthy, but 'the pub still shutting' is hardly news - it's repetative.”
by Rob, Leicester
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 2:01PM
“Yes this is a developing story and anybody who does not appreciate that does not understand the scale of what is going on to destroy our City's heritage. This latest development is just pure vindictiveness by DMU, but they, along with LCC, have proved that they don't care about this city and the local residents. I am so upset and angry about all of this I find it hard to put into words.”
by Concerned about Leicester's Landmarks, Essex
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 10:12AM
“I don't agree that this is the repetition of old news, this is a developing story.
This is incredibly useful to people outside of Leicester such as myself, and believe me when I say that there are people who do not live in the city that also believe that the bridge and pub should be saved.
Supporters in the West End and in the wider area of Leicester have the support of those further away who cannot stand alongside them other than in spirit.”