Two Wetherspoon pubs saved after huge community campaigns

The Sennockian, in Sevenoaks, Kent and the Foxley Hatch in Purley were part of a JDW plan to sell 20 pubs, but the company announced it had listened to campaigners and taken them off the market.

1,800 strong petition​

Regulars at the Foxley Hatch started campaign ‘hands off the hatch’ to save the pub, with more than 1,800 people signing a petition to save it.

Local professional photographer John Nicholson created a photo album of regulars to support the campaign. He said the Foxley Hatch is "the best pub in Purley”.

'We've lost too many pubs'​

Former Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Allan Bullion, who came third in May’s poll for Sevenoaks and Swanley, wrote to JDW founder Tim Martin to ask him not to sell the Sennockian - a pub he visited during his campaign.

Bullion told the Sevenoaks Chronicle: "We have lost too many pubs over recent years. The Sennockian frequently provided me with much needed sustenance when out on the campaign trail during the election.

“It was also an excellent place to take the pulse from local voters and meet with my fellow candidates. I actually rate the Sennockian as one of the most convivial and friendliest Spoons outlets in Kent and beyond, and so I am writing to pub chain founder Tim Martin to try and keep it serving local drinkers and diners."

Listened to customers​

JDW insisted interest had been shown by potential buyers for both pubs.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “After taking into account the views of many customers who wrote to us, as well as correspondence from former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Alan Bullion, we have decided against selling it.

“They made it clear that they wanted The Sennockian to remain a Wetherspoon pub and we have responded to that. We are certain that the pub’s loyal customers as well as our staff will be delighted with the news."

All 18 remaining pubs, which are being marketed by CBRE, are still on the market.