12:30pm Monday 8th February 2010
By Daniel Binns
REGULARS at the Bald Hind pub in Chigwell have reacted with dismay to news of its closure later this month.
Brewery chain Mitchells and Butlers said the venue, in Hainault Road, will be shutting down on Thursday February 25 because “it is no longer a viable business”.
But angry drinkers claim that the chain has deliberately run the pub down because it will be cheaper to sell it off than carry out the extensive repairs and renovations its historic building needs, a claim the firm strongly denies.
Stewart Alexander, 54, of Linkside, has been going to the Bald Hind on a daily basis for the past 30 years.
He said: “I'm very disappointed, but it's clear they've been letting it fall to pieces on purpose for some years now.
“To do the property up would cost them a fortune, and it's obvious that they don't want to invest in it.”
Dennis Briggs, 57, of View Close, said: “This is a sad day for Chigwell.
"The brewery have a stranglehold on the area and own all the nearest pubs, and it seems like the Bald Hind just isn't that important to them.
“The pub has been left to become dilapidated. The toilets keep breaking and there's leaks in the roof.
“It's such an iconic building and landmark, but they seem more concerned with maximising their profits to the detriment of the local community.”
Glen Buckingham, 58, of Oak Lodge Avenue, agreed.
He said: “It's just ridiculous. There's nowhere else around here within easy walking distance for us now, and it would be a real shame if the building was demolished.”
A spokesman for Mitchells and Butlers refused to comment on rumours that a property developer had bought the pub.
But he did say: "We review our estate on a regular basis and the Bald Hind was identified for sale some two years ago as it is no longer a viable business for us to operate.
"A sale has now been agreed with a local company and our last day of trade is scheduled to be Wednesday 24 February.”
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