Two days after Clement Ogbonnaya’s final bid to purchase the freehold of the Queen of the South pub was turned down, there was a surprising turn of events. The major pub group that had acquired the freehold reconsidered their decision.
The iconic South London pub and event venue faced closure following the acquisition of the freehold by Young’s Pubs. Founder Clement criticized the pub group for their actions, but the South London community swiftly mobilized to save the establishment.
The outcry began on Monday, July 28, when Clement Ogbonnaya, the owner of The Queen of the South, revealed the potential closure in a video on Instagram. Clement, a prominent figure in the South London community and founder of The Village People pub group, which includes Queen of the South in Tulse Hill and its sister venue, Prince of Peckham.
Queen of the South serves as not only a pub but also a co-working space that hosts various community and youth events. The venue often collaborates with local artists, designers, and musicians. This news came on the heels of a story about a family leaving a pub without paying after a meal.
In a plea for support, Clement mentioned being given a tight deadline to purchase the freehold from an unnamed pub group. Despite feeling embarrassed to ask for help, he saw an opportunity for community members to invest in the space and raise funds to secure its future.
In an interview with The Mirror, Clement described the video as a form of therapy and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community response. The video garnered over 300,000 views within a week, with messages offering legal advice, investment opportunities, and requests to reveal the pub group’s identity flooding in.
Although their final offer to the pub corporation was declined after a week of efforts, on August 6, Clement disclosed that Young’s Pub was the entity that had acquired the freehold.
A spokesperson from Young’s acknowledged the importance of The Queen of the South pub to the Tulse Hill community and stated ongoing negotiations with Clement for the freehold. They emphasized their intention for the pub to remain independently operated.
Clement remained skeptical, questioning the sincerity of Young’s commitment to the community. He expressed concerns about the pub’s future and who Young’s would cater to, suggesting a potential shift towards a more affluent clientele.
Despite the challenges, Clement found peace in the situation, seeing it as a new chapter for The Village People and a step towards community ownership.
On August 8, The Mirror received an update that Clement’s offer had been accepted. Young’s confirmed the acceptance of Clement’s offer to purchase the freehold, ensuring the pub’s continuity under its current management.
Clement shared the exciting news on Instagram, expressing gratitude to Young’s for reaching an agreement and clearing the debt. He emphasized the need to raise additional funds and announced plans for a potential investor dinner to secure further investment.
While The Queen of the South’s future looks brighter, Clement acknowledged that the real work lies ahead. The community’s support has been instrumental in this journey, reflecting a united front in preserving the pub’s legacy.
The success story of The Queen of the South serves as a testament to community resilience and solidarity, ensuring that its legacy endures despite the challenges faced.