Supporters of the Prince of Wales will be pleased to hear that as of today (26 February 2024) the pub has been listed as an Asset of Community Value and will remain on the register for five years. The decision was approved by the Leader of Barnet Council Cllr Barry Rawlings at a hearing today, following an application by the East Barnet Residents Association supported by your three Labour councillors. You can view the decision here:

Community Right to Bid for The Prince of Wales Pub, 2 Church Hill Road, East Barnet, EN4 8TB (moderngov.co.uk)

The owners Stonegate were invited to attend but typically chose not to. The listing means the following:

'Once the property is registered, the owner of that property must notify us of their intention to sell the property (subject to specific exceptions). The register will be updated, and the fact that the owner intends to sell the property will be publicised. 

Any community interest group wishing to make a bid must write to us within 6 weeks of receiving our written notification, confirming its "expression of interest (EOI)" to purchase the property. An "expression of interest" form, together with guidance notes can be downloaded below.

The group will then have a period of 6 months within which to make a bid. If there is more than one community interest group interested in purchasing, we would encourage those groups to work together. The 6 months runs from the date the owner notifies us of their intention to sell the property.'

Of course we still don't know if the pub has been sold or if so who to and the owners can still sell on the open market, but listing it gives it some protection and puts pressure on the owners to listen to the views of the local community. We will be in touch shortly to discuss our next steps. Thanks once again to everyone for their continued support!