Battle to protect 300-year-old pub

Thousands of residents in north London have signed a petition urging Barnet Council to protect one of the borough's oldest pubs.

The Black Horse Pub, which is said to have been founded in 1720, closed its doors in September.

Owner Star Pubs confirmed it was in the process of recruiting a new operator after the last leaseholder vacated.

Residents and councillors have raised concerns that without "asset of community value" (ACV) status, which gives the community the right to bid for the site if it is put up for sale, the pub risks being sold for redevelopment.

The petition to save the pub, which is located at the junction of Wood Street and Union Street, has attracted more than 2,300 signatures.

Having previously supported a bid for Tudor Hall, originally a schoolhouse and granted a charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1573, to receive ACV status, High Barnet councillor Emma Whysall has been working on the campaign.

She said: "ACV status can help save pubs and other spaces the community cares about.

"It gave Barnet Museum time to investigate purchasing Tudor Hall and do their due diligence.

"The government is currently legislating for a longer period for community groups to raise the funds to buy and assess the feasibility of purchasing, levelling the playing field with commercial businesses.

"If the Black Horse does become an ACV, that could be an option for us if the legislation is passed in time."

Last year, the council listed the Prince of Wales pub in East Barnet as an ACV, following local concerns about potential redevelopment.

Local resident Olly Gough, who launched the Black Horse petition, said: "The next step is getting the application in. We need 21 local people to back it and as many stories as possible from those who've used the Black Horse over the years. That's the evidence that makes the difference."

In response to enquiries, the council said it could not yet give a position. A spokesperson said: "The council has not received an application for an asset of community value at this location. Once an application has been submitted, the formal process can begin."

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