The sudden closure of a York pub and eviction of its landlady has been deemed Scrooge-like behaviour by a city councillor.
As we revealed earlier this month, the Wellington Inn on Alma Terrace was shut without any notice.
And the popular publican Sue Frost was told to leave with less than 12 hours’ notice.
Sue was said to be heartbroken by being forced out of the pub. Its regulars were equally dismayed, saying she had put the ‘Welly’ back at the heart of the community again.
A Sam Smith’s pub, it is apparently the latest in a long line to be shut in this way by brewery owner Humphrey Smith.
Now Fishergate councillor Conrad Whitcroft has written to Mr Smith requesting that he reverse the decision and reopen the Wellington.
In the letter, the Labour councillor said: “Removing the management just before Christmas is reminiscent of Scrooge and seems an unnecessarily punitive decision.”
Cllr Whitcroft’s full letter
Dear Mr Smith,
I am the councillor for the ward that includes the Wellington Inn on Alma Terrace. I am writing to protest in the strongest possible terms against its recent closure.
This pub has been a thriving centre of the community where people from across York and beyond are made to feel at home. As the local councillor, when visiting the Welly I have often been approached by residents who wish to talk to me about local issues in an informal setting.
The management and staff at the Wellington Inn were second to none. They routinely went above and beyond by organising community events and looking after their regulars. I have been particularly moved by the work that they have done to help the local British Sign Language organisation by allowing them to host events at the pub. The loss of the Wellington Inn is a loss to all living in the Fishergate area and also to those who visited from further afield.
I would encourage you to reopen this pub at the earliest opportunity with the reinstatement of the management team. Removing the management just before Christmas is reminiscent of Scrooge and seems an unnecessarily punitive decision. Many of my residents feel that in doing this, you will drive long-term custom away in the communities that your brewery has been happily serving until now.
I am happy to speak to you on any occasion either via the phone or at an in-person meeting to find a successful resolution to this difficult situation. I want to stress the Welly is an important feature in the local community and I’m keen to do whatever I can to see it reopened.
Regards,
Conrad Whitcroft”
He has been in contact with residents and former staff who are opposed to the decision.
The closure happened just days before a full council meeting where councillors voted to support recognising Assets of Community Value.
This would form a part of national legislation allowing local people to have the right to buy closed, venues such as pubs, which demonstrate clear community value. The motion passed unanimously.
Cllr Whitcroft has a habit of challenging large companies. He was among those who took on McDonald’s over its bid to open a fast food restaurant off Fulford Road. That plan was ultimately rejected by councillors.
He hopes his campaign to reopen the Welly will meet with similar success.
He encourages all York residents to write to the Sam Smith’s Brewery to express their opposition to the closure.