Welling Foresters Arms registered as asset of community value

The Foresters Arms, which has a rich history dating back to 1890, was closed and gutted after plans were approved to build flats in its car park.

Management chain Wellington Pub Company, owned by billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben, had previously explored including the Foresters Arms venue itself in the development plans, according to the local democracy reporting service.

However, the applicants were told that any plan involving the pub was unlikely to be approved, with the loss of a “community facility…unacceptable in principal”.

Originally Bexley Council rejected the plans for the development of flats in the car park, but the Planning Inspectorate overturned the decision.

The recent registration of The Foresters Arms as an asset of community value marks a significant victory for the local community campaign which is passionate about saving this beloved establishment and reopening it as a community ran venue.

With the premises now protected for the next five years and being restricted to only being used as a pub, the “save the Foresters Arms” group will be focused on obtaining funding and establishing dialogue with the current owners.

Abby McAllister, a key member of the community group, told the News Shopper: “The Foresters group is ecstatic, even if it is the first step.

“We have no idea what future intentions Wellington Pub Company has for The Foresters Arms, but we are comforted by the fact that it will remain a community asset for the next five years.”

Regulars who loved attending the pub (Image: Abby M)

The next step for the group is gaining access to the government's £150 million Community Ownership Fund which designed to assist in saving such cherished community assets.

Abby explained that she had received very little response from Wellington Pub Company – receiving the first response from the company in the last few days following the community asset approval despite many calls and emails.

Councillor Steven Hall said: "The East Wickham Councillors, along with Louie French MP, are very pleased that the pub is now an asset of community value.

“This means that the pub can now only be used as a pub for the next 5 years and effectively halts any ideas that the current owners might have had.

“This is a great example of a determined community working with its local representatives.

“Attention will now be directed to finding funding opportunities, which will include a bid for matched funding from the Governments new Community Ownership Fund.

“Hopefully, dialogue will soon be established with the current owners, because they still will need to agree to sell or lease."

Louie French MP said: “I am really pleased that The Foresters Arms has now been registered as an asset of community value and I look forward to continuing to support local residents and Councillors in East Wickham with this project moving forward.

"Local pubs and sports clubs play a vital role in our communities across Bexley and I always support them where I can.

“The Government have also launched a £150 million Community Ownership Fund to help local people save these treasured community assets”.

Wellington Pub Company has been approached for further comment but did not provide a response.