The Magdala

• CONSERVATIVE councillors have created fury among residents of South End Green and Hampstead, by producing misleading publicity, triumphantly implying that the imminent reopening of The Magdala Tavern is largely due to them.

Flyers hit mailboxes after the licence was recently granted, suggesting that they were responsible for this success.

The truth of the matter, is that since 2016 when the pub close, a group of local residents has been quietly working to have the it reopened, without any involvement of the councillors.

One councillor recently attended just one meeting with residents and the future landlord, and after the licence hearing, declared a victory (for the Conservatives!) but this is just a small contribution at the end of a very long campaign by locals.

Recent press interviews with the councillors reiterating this success and where they “thanked local residents for their support”, were particularly infuriating.

How sad that the years of quiet work by residents to bring about the pub opening, should be hijacked by opportunistic politicians to increase their public perception.

When the pub’s function room was under threat of being turned into a flat, locals helped defeat the application with their huge number of objections.

The councillors were nowhere to be seen. But this latest involvement was clearly such an opportunity to fly the Conservative flag just before an election.

Residents did, through the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum, ask one of the councillors to write in support of the reapplication for ACV (asset of community value) as they had done so for other pubs; which they did.

PAULA FLOWERS
NW3