Pub to stay open after apartment plans are scrapped

Jason and Kashryn Field were left stunned last year when they were told an application had been submitted to bulldoze the William IV on Stockwell Gate.

The couple took over the pub in 2014 and live there with their four children.

Since moving in, the couple say they have been building up a loyal customer base and are bucking the trend for many pubs, which made them even more surprised to find demolition was being suggested.

They only found out about the plans from a neighbour, but set about saving their livelihood.

A petition with more than 500 names was gathered and they held talks with New River Retail, which had bought the pub from brewery giant Marston’s.

Jason, aged 44, said: “They came and had a look, but did not know how well it has been doing, or how old it is – it’s been here for more than 180 years.

“They came back to us and said they had no intention of knocking it down, and we have their full support, which feels great.

“We had such a huge response, it’s been humbling and it’s made us more eager to stay here long term.”

While the pub will be saved, it seems likely part of the car park will be used for building flats.

Meanwhile, an attempt by Jason and Kashryn to have the pub, which has been opened since 1835, listed has failed.

Had it been granted by Historic England, it would have ensured that the pub building remained indefinitely.

However, Jason said that too much work had been carried out for it to be considered.