An east Greenwich pub that was at the centre of a lengthy planning dispute is to close later this month after failing to agree terms with its landlord, an Isle of Man-based developer.
The Duke of Greenwich – once known as The Vanbrugh – opened only two years ago, but will close its doors for the final time on Sunday September 21.
In December 2020 a developer, Hamna Wakaf, won a drawn-out battle to build a house on land behind the pub’s beer garden. But the project did not go ahead and the permission has now lapsed.
The pub, in Colomb Street, was historically known as the Duke of Edinburgh and later the Vanbrugh Tavern. The Vanbrugh closed its doors in March 2022 before reopening in July 2023 as the Duke of Greenwich after it was taken on by the team behind The Jolly Gardners in Kennington.
On Instagram, the pub said: “After two years of trading we unfortunately could not agree terms with the landlord, meaning the weekend of the 20/21st September will be our last. Thank you to all of the staff, thank you to all every single person that got a drink here.
“Plans for our last weekend – lots of food given away, very cheap drinks, Jack will be selling all the furniture, come and grab a bargain. No booking needed.”
Hamna Wakaf bought the pub from Punch Partnerships for £625,000 in 2013, according to the Land Registry. The Isle of Man-registered company has been linked with the closure of many pubs across London, although it recently failed in an attempt to turn a pub in Rotherhithe, The China Hall, into flats.
Despite its imminent closure, The Duke of Greenwich will be still hosting a beer festival on Saturday, with tickets still available.
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