The decisions means that if the owners of The Prince of Wales choose to sell the building they must give the local community six months to make a bid to buy it

The Prince of Wales pub in East Barnet — The Prince of Wales in East Barnet (Credit – David Floyd)

Barnet Labour heralded the campaigning work of its councillors after they joined local residents in successfully securing the status of an East Barnet as an asset of community value.

The Prince of Wales on Church Hill Road was closed by its owner Stonegate on February 14th but will now been added to a list of buildings that are considered to be community assets.

This means that if Stonegate wants to sell the building, it will have to give community groups up to six months to make a bid for the property. The owner has 28-days to appeal against the decision.

Speaking after the decision was taken, the council’s deputy leader Ross Houston saluted local campaigners saying: “The way East Barnet residents are fighting to keep their last pub open is inspirational. The Prince of Wales is a lynchpin of the community. I congratulate everyone who put together the bid.”

Resident Kathy Levine, who was part of a deputation which brought the issue to January’s full council meeting, in turn praised the current administration. She said: “With Labour in charge now, Barnet Council understands that communities are what really make up our borough. We’ve got a long way to go to save the pub, but it’s great that the council is doing what it can to back us.”

Barnet Labour says East Barnet Labour councillors Phil Cohen, Edith David and Simon Radford have championed the campaign, including by initiating a now 3,000-strong petition. The campaign has also been backed by Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet Theresa Villiers and her Labour opponent Dan Tomlinson.

Cllr Radford said: “It is vital that residents who want to protect and strengthen their neighbourhood have advocates in the town hall.

“Labour councillors always understand that there are community values more dear than any monetary price for a plot of land. I am proud to be part of this campaign and will continue to support local residents for as long as it takes.”

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