Community campaigners discuss ways to make sure their traditional pub does not close

A HOPEFUL future could lay ahead for the Cock Tavern after a community group aiming to save the Somers Town pub met for the first time.

Alarm bells were ringing last month when the building was put on the market by owners Flamestrike Limited.

Residents who do not want to lose one of the area’s last traditional pubs are now working out a plan to make sure any deal does not spell the end of the bar.

Paul McLoone, who attended the meeting last week and runs the annual Somers Town Festival said: “The meeting was just a case of here’s another thing coming and what can be done?

“The people in the pub are the ones who rocked the boat.

“They’re a bit scared as well, so it’s just all about getting information. We as a community have a power in those outcomes.”

He added: “What concerns me is that area doesn’t have an accessible point of contact. I know we have community centres but they’re closed at 5pm. The pub is a good place to sit and relax and be with each other.

“We were trying to get a bit of information trying to prepare ourselves for several different outcomes. It’s really about people power.

“The landlord has been really great and supportive at this time so we will see what happens next.”

The Cock Tavern

The block is on sale for £4million which would be a tall order for any community group to raise.

But Guy Ziser, for the freeholder of the building, said Flamestrike is still in discussions about the structure of a deal with a potential investor and whether the pub and apartments above will be dealt with separately or as one.

The pub is currently leased out to popular landlady Sheila Gavigan.

Javier Calderon, who attended the meeting and has a gallery and tea shop near the Cock Tavern, said: “The pub is without a doubt the most important cultural asset in Somers Town, over these 10 years I’ve seen great poetry, philosophy, art, great football fans people who come with political agendas, and of course people who feel comfortable here.

“I am there for Sheila, who is the leaseholder and I have seen her work and seen how she cares about people and if the place and the pub exists it is because of her and that’s why I went there to find ways in which I can support her and the pub.”

People wanting to join the group supporting the pub should email: friendsofthecocktavern @gmail.com The New Journal revealed last month that McGlynn’s – a pub in Whidborne Street in King’s Cross – is also on the market.

The asking price is £3million.