A former pub landlord has allegedly built a giant fence around the beer garden after he was asked to leave by the brewery. Tony O’Neill had leased The Plough in East Sheen, Richmond, for 10 years, with former brewery Fuller’s taking the pub into their hands in November 2021. At the time the hospitality business, which still owns pubs around the UK, said the handover was far from “quick and smooth”.
MyLondon previously reported that O’Neill had “stripped” the pub’s kitchen, as well as removing all furniture and fittings as he left. He also took his team with him to take on a new pub and Fuller’s has been renovating The Plough ever since.
However, it has since emerged that while the former landlord has vacated The Plough building itself, he has now erected a fence around the beer garden, blocking all access to the pub except for the front door. Richmond Council told MyLondon that he is obstructing a public footpath, which Mr O’Neill contests.
He declined to comment on the situation, but confirmed that boarding had been erected and that Fuller’s had no access to the land or back entrances within it. When asked if he had put up the fence, O’Neill refused to comment further.
READ MORE: Landlord kicked out of pub by brewery gets revenge by taking the kitchen and chandeliers with him
Tony O’Neill was the pub landlord from 2006 until 2021
(Image: Supplied)
Fuller’s reportedly cannot obtain a fire certificate for the premises as only one entrance/exit remains available to would-be customers and staff. A source close to the pub and the former landlord, who did not wish to be named, told MyLondon the area outside of the pub that has been used as a beer garden for 15 years has now been boarded up.
He said O’Neill was living in a “different world” and is trying to “intimidate” both Fuller’s and Richmond council into giving up the pub and land. When MyLondon visited, the boarding clearly obstructed a large portion of the public footpath, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road. It is understood it is also blocking off old parking spaces which pre-dated the beer garden.
The front of the pub is still accessible – but the boarding to the right cuts off all other entrances.
(Image: Elizabeth Haigh)
All the pub’s windows are covered by black sheeting, and the site appears deserted. MyLondon understands the former landlord has applied for adverse possession, which allows squatters certain rights to a piece of land if they have occupied it for more than 10 years.
The erection of the fence, made up of wooden boarding, came as a shock to local residents who told MyLondon they did not know anything about it. A spokesperson for Richmond Council confirmed Mr O’Neil does not own the land adjacent to the pub.
They said: “Mr O’Neill has been in dispute with Fullers Brewery, which is the freehold owner of The Plough. The freehold does not own the triangle of land immediately adjacent to the public house – there is no registered owner and this area of land is considered part of the public highway.
“The erection of the hoardings by Mr O’Neill is in breach of planning control and obstructs the public highway. The Council has issued a planning Enforcement Notice for Mr O’Neill to remove the hoardings by April 7. If the hoardings are not removed by April 7, the Council will likely remove them in default.”
The council added Mr O’Neill disputes the fact that the boarding obstructs the public footpath. It said: “It is not lawful to obstruct the public highway, whether or not it blocks access to property.”
The fence has a door with that appears locked
(Image: Elizabeth Haigh)
Government guidance states: “Where the land was previously open ground, fencing is strong evidence of factual possession, but it is neither indispensable nor conclusive.” This means a wall such as the one outside The Plough could show a squatter has occupied the land, but it also does not prove it beyond doubt – and as it is new, this could harm O’Neill’s claim.
It is understood the council are planning on forcibly removing the fence next month as a legal battle continues. Tony O’Neill lives just 300 yards from the pub and is fighting for the land on the grounds the pub was a part of the community, our source told us.
From the other side of the pub the boarding is even more obstructive.
(Image: Elizabeth Haigh)
The source said: “No-one had a problem with the land being used as a beer garden. But they do have a problem with him using it to block another business, using land that you don’t own.”
Fuller’s brewery confirmed the land was being contested, but that it was a council issue that should be resolved by April 7. A spokesperson said: “To that end, we have started work on the pub today [Monday, March 21] and we can’t wait to get the pub open and welcome back in the local community.”
Do you have a story you think we should be covering? If so, email [email protected].
Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.
At MyLondon, we want to make sure you get the latest and greatest from across the capital.
And one way you can do that is by getting the best news, reviews and features from wherever you are straight to your inbox with our free email newsletters.
We have seven newsletters you can currently sign up for – including a different one for each part of London, as well as an EastEnders one for all the gossip from Albert Square, and a London Underground one to keep you up to date on the latest transport news.
The local newsletters go out twice a day and send the latest stories straight to your inbox.
From community stories and news covering every borough of London to celebrity and lifestyle stories, we’ll make sure you get the very best every day.
To sign up to any of our newsletters, simply follow this link and select the newsletter that’s right for you.
And to really customise your news experience on the go, you can download our top-rated free apps for iPhone and Android. Find out more here.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/pub-landlord-barricades-himself-beer-23436759
