Experienced licensee to purchase lease of the Alma in Newington Green

James McGrath began operating the pub after former licensee Kirsty Valentine was evicted following a four-year legal dispute with owner Enterprise Inns. He will sign a 20-year lease agreement at the end of the month.

Demand​

McGrath said that Enterprise told him it received more than 20 offers for the full-time lease, after it advertised the property on its website at the end of last year.

In the advert it outlined the annual rent as £35,000, which is thought to be more than the price offered to Valentine after she lost her PICA-Service case, but McGrath told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser​ he will be paying £46,000 in rent, after making an initial offer of £50,000.

“It’s going to be a community pub and it will be wet-led with real ale, but we will also do food as well,” he said.

“There will be quizzes, music nights and we’ve already refurbished the property with a new ‘movie’ theme. There were lots of people interested in the pub but I think we had the best plan.

“Enterprise has treated us well, especially a man called Richard Norton who is our area manager. He was really helpful when we took on the pub,” he added.

Experience​

McGrath has previously run Sir Richard Steele and the Enterprise, both in Hampstead, the Lansdowne in Primrose Hill and the Hemingford Arms in Islington, all in north London.

Valentine was removed from the pub by bailiffs on 8 November for non-payment of rent.

Enterprise Inns was not available for comment.