Two Fuller's Pubs closed in a week
EalingToday.co.uk has reported on two pubs closing in Greenford and Ealing this week, both of which are owned by Fuller's. The timing can be explained by wanting to keep them running through Christmas but the underlying reasons look quite different. Clearly the canalside site in Greenford is more profitable as a residential devleopment than a pub. The Red Lion in Ealing looks as though it was simply a case of a tenant not being able to make a go of it but it remains to be seen if a replacement can be found.The assumption has always been that Fuller's won't close pubs because they have banked a huge amount of cash from the sale of the brewery. However, this shows that the company is not unaware of the land development potential of its sites and tenants are really struggling at the moment so more and more pressure will build for the conversion of pubs. The Duke of York has gone and I don't really believe that the Bell and Crown and the George IV are under threat particularly the former which is next to the company's HQ. However, if Fuller's are closing pubs, with their balance sheet strength, other chains are unlikely to do differently. There was a lengthy discussion about pubs in Strand on the Green on this forum recently where there are additional pressures and I don't think we should assume every pub in the area is here forever. If you like your local pub, start going there more often.
Francis Rowe ● 1346d23 Comments ● 1340d