Two days after Clement Ogbonnaya’s final attempt to purchase the freehold of his cherished Queen of the South pub was turned down, a remarkable turn of events occurred. The major pub group that had acquired the freehold reopened negotiations.
The beloved South London pub and event space faced closure following the acquisition of the freehold by Young’s Pubs. Founder Clement accused the pub group of disregarding community interests, prompting the South London community to swiftly rally behind the “Save Our Queen” campaign.
The uproar began on Monday, July 28, when Clement Ogbonnaya, owner of The Queen of the South, revealed the potential closure in an Instagram video. Clement, a prominent figure in the South London community and founder of The Village People pub group, which includes Queen of the South and Prince of Peckham, voiced concerns about the future of the iconic establishment.
Apart from serving as a pub, Queen of the South functions as a co-working space and hosts various community and youth events. The establishment is known for collaborating with local artists, designers, and musicians. News about The Queen emerged following an incident where a family left a pub without paying after a hefty meal.
In a plea for support, Clement highlighted the tight deadline given by an unnamed pub group to purchase the freehold. He acknowledged feeling embarrassed but saw an opportunity for community members to invest in the space. The overwhelming response from the community, including offers of legal advice and investments, led to the launch of a Crowdfunder campaign by Queen of the South.
Despite a week of community mobilization, Clement announced on August 6 that their final offer to the pub corporation had been rejected. Young’s Pub was revealed as the group behind the freehold purchase.
Young’s spokesperson assured that discussions were ongoing with Clement to ensure the continued operation of Queen of the South under current management. They emphasized the pub’s importance to the local community and their commitment to keeping it independent.
However, Clement remained skeptical, questioning Young’s true intentions and whom they aimed to cater to. He urged the pub company to engage more with the local community to understand their needs.
After a week of uncertainty, Young’s finally accepted Clement’s offer on August 8. Clement expressed his excitement over the deal and thanked Young’s for resolving the situation and clearing outstanding debts. The focus now shifts to raising funds to secure the future of The Queen.
While challenges lie ahead, including the need to raise £500,000, Clement remains optimistic. The community’s support has been instrumental in achieving this milestone, showcasing the power of collective action in preserving community establishments like Queen of the South.