Neighbours fear for the future of a popular Tufnell Park pub after a scrawled notice announced it would be “closed until further notice”.
A sign appeared in a window of the Lord Palmerston in Dartmouth Park Hill last week saying: “The pub is now closed until further notice.”
Young’s Brewery, which runs the pub, was quick to quell fears on Twitter on Tuesday, when it responded to a photo of the sign with the message: “The doors are not permanently closed on the pub, it’s just temporary while there are some management changes.”
But Young’s would not provide any further detail about the “management changes” or how long it would be shut when contacted by the Gazette.
According to the founders of the Tufnell Park Film club, the pub has been closed since “at least” September 18, when they were forced to postpone their weekly screenings.
Wayne Gooderman and Nigel Smith said their equipment is still inside the building, but added: “We’re optimistic at the moment.
“We started Tufnell Park Film Club more than five years ago at the Lord Palmerston and look forward to resuming our weekly screenings very soon.”
Cllr Oliver Lewis (Lab, Highgate) said: “It’s very alarming. In this little conversation with Young’s, they said it’s just a management swap-over.
“I hope they are as good as their word and reopen soon.”
But he warned: “They should be aware that if there’s any other intention they will have a fight on their hands and Camden will use its planning policy to resist turning it into housing.”
Cllr Sian Berry (Green, Highgate) said: “It’s been closed for more than a week and a half and then a scrawled note appeared which was worrying.
“All I know is what’s on the tweet – that it’s a temporary management issue – and if that’s true, that’s good.”
She added: “The Camden local plan was adopted by the council in July which has some pretty strong protection for pubs.
“I hope we’ll see it reopen again soon as it’s a really important part of the community.”
The pub borders Islington but is on the Camden side of the road.
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