The Widmore, Bickley, Kent

                                                 (Formerly The Bird-in-Hand)

A Campaign to save The Widmore pub from destruction

The Widmore public house has been bought by McCullochs, a property developer. Their intention is to convert it into flats and build new houses on the site. At this moment they have not applied for planning permission. Planning consent will be required both for the building work and for change-of-use from a pub to residential. The more people that oppose the plans, when they are submitted, the more chance that the permission will not be granted.

Why is it closing?

I have heard it said that the pub was not financially successful, so it doesn't matter that it's closing. The truth is that the pub has not been well run for quite some time. It is also true that for a number of years, the pub has been owned by Punch Taverns. Punch Taverns is a company that owns a large number of pubs and leases them to landlords who then struggle to run them successfully. Punch control the drink supply (the landlord has to buy from them). It is up to the landlord to invest in the pub's infrastructure. This makes it hard for the pub to return a profit.

The Widmore badly needed some money spent on its interior. With proper investment I am certain the pub could be successful. I used The Widmore a lot and its deficiencies were plain to see.

Punch Taverns is in a poor financial state and has large debts. It is now trying to rectify the situation by offloading its less successful pubs, particularly those that will be attractive to developers. The Widmore is, unfortunately, one of those pubs. The pub has closed because of Punch's failings, not the pub's.

Why should you care?

• History: The Bird-in-Hand public house has been on this site for about 200 years. The road it adjoins is named after it. The main pub building (that is shown in the photo) is Grade II listed. It is a piece of local history and once it goes it is gone forever.
• A Family pub: The Widmore is a unique facility. It is the only one in the vicinity that provides a large garden with a children's play area. Sunday lunchtime has always been very popular.
• Car Parking: The pub has a large car park. No other pub in the area is as accessible for drivers.
• Size: The Widmore had a large restaurant that could accommodate sizeable parties and was popular for weddings, birthdays and funerals.
• Beer Garden: The large beer garden was a nice place to spend a pleasant summer evening. It is ironic that it closed just as it was coming to its most successful period of the year.
• Disabled facilities: It is the only pub in the vicinity that provides proper disabled access and a disabled toilet. Parking facilities are essential for the disabled.
• Local Business: Probably most important of all. The pub employed local people and formed a part of the economy. One more local business going to the wall.

What can you do?

I hope you agree that we should oppose the loss of this pub. I am convinced that, in the right hands, this pub can be successful. One option is a petition. Unfortunately they tend not to carry a lot of weight. More notice is taken of individual written objections from residents and former customers. At this time, the developer has not submitted any official plans. Please continue to monitor this site for news. As soon as the plans are submitted I shall be posting details.

Please send an email to the address below and I shall notify you of any developments.

savethewidmore@btinternet.com 

Thank you for your support

Save The Widmore