South London pub ‘saved’ from closure
Young’s pub company has reportedly accepted landlord Clement Ogbonnaya’s offer to buy the freehold of the Queen of the South pub in Tulse Hill, easing fears of closure.
In July, Ogbonnaya, who heads up The Village People pub group, posted a video to Instagram explaining that London-based pub company Young’s, which owns the freehold, “gave us a deadline to buy it back or risk losing it forever”.
The landlord, who also operates south London site Prince of Peckham, said he had poured “heart, time and money” into the Queen of the South in Tulse Hill, which he has run since it opened in May 2023.
Since, the community has rallied around the iconic venue, and Ogbonnaya has been in negotiations with the pub company.
But, speaking to The Mirror on Friday afternoon, Young’s shared: “We are pleased to confirm that we have accepted Clement Ogbonnaya’s offer to buy the freehold of the Queen of the South pub in Tulse Hill.
Serving the community
“We recognise the significance of the pub as an important part of the local community and have had constructive conversations with Clement to find a solution that will enable it to continue operating under the current management. It was never our intention to close the pub.
“At Young’s, ensuring pubs remain vibrant parts of their local communities is an important part of our ethos.
“Following our acquisition of City Pub Group in 2024, it was always our intention that this pub remain independent to best serve its community, and we are glad to have moved closer to securing a solution that will allow it to do so.”
The pub, named in homage to Ogbonnaya’s mother, wife and two daughters, replaced the White Hart pub, which needed a new roof, was infested with rats and had rotting floors.
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“We’ve got rid of that ugly tooth on the high street and created a communal space as a hub, a meeting place, a place to celebrate, a place to mourn, a place to share ideas.”
A helping hand
In July, Ogbonnaya expressed “embarrassment” for having to ask for help but presented a chance for individuals to invest in the space to raise funds. “This is an opportunity in our community. We can own our own boozer. We can own bricks and mortar for infinity,” he urged.
A crowdfunder launched by the landlord, who also operates the Prince of Peckham in south London, raised nearly £10,000.
At the time, a Young’s spokesperson told BBC: “We remain in exclusive negotiations with Clement regarding the freehold of the pub and have not had any conversations with any other potential bidders regarding the site.”
“I believe in what this place represents. And I’m not backing down. You survive alone or you thrive together. We choose to thrive,” added Ogbonnaya.
As well as functioning as a pub, Queen of the South is a co-working space and hosts a variety of community and youth events, working together with local artists, designers, and musicians.
