Tavern company calls ‘time’ for Hackney pub

Former landlords of the Laburnum Inn, Hackney, Ian and Lynwen Pidgeon, have handed back the keys to the pub to its owners, Admiral Taverns.

The couple had been running the pub for four years and were shocked when Admiral announced it planned to sell the premises earlier in the year. They expressed their concerns that the site may be bought by a developer and used to create more housing.

Mark Regan, Admiral’s business development manager for Derbyshire, stated: “From time to time we do review the pubs that we own and occasionally, we do take the decision to sell a property that we do not believe will be part of our business in the longer term. The Laburnum is such a pub and remains for sale. When we take such a decision it is always our preference that the pub remains as such but have to accept that future use is an issue for any incoming owner and of course the relevant planning authorities.

“Until a buyer emerges, we are committed to operating the pub and have secured a new licensee who has agreed to run the pub on an interim basis.”