After Clement Ogbonnaya’s initial offer to purchase the freehold of the Queen of the South pub was declined, there was a surprising turn of events just two days later. The pub group that had acquired the freehold reconsidered their decision and reopened discussions.
The Queen of the South, a popular South London pub and event venue, faced closure following the acquisition of the freehold by Young’s Pubs. Founder Clement criticized Young’s for disregarding community interests, prompting the South London community to rally together under the ‘Save Our Queen’ campaign.
The uproar began on July 28 when Clement Ogbonnaya, owner of The Queen of the South, disclosed the impending closure in an Instagram video. Well-known in the South London community as the founder of The Village People pub group, Clement oversees both Queen of the South in Tulse Hill and its sister establishment, Prince of Peckham.
Queen of the South not only operates as a pub but also serves as a co-working space and a hub for community and youth events. The venue collaborates with local artists, designers, and musicians, enhancing its cultural significance. This development came on the heels of a separate incident where a family left a pub without paying after a lavish meal.
In response to the urgent situation, Clement launched a crowdfunding campaign to garner support for saving The Queen. Despite facing setbacks, Clement’s persistence eventually led to Young’s accepting his offer to purchase the pub’s freehold, securing its future under current management.
Young’s acknowledged the importance of The Queen of the South as a community asset and emphasized their commitment to preserving its independent operation. However, Clement remained cautious about their intentions and questioned their dedication to serving the local community over more affluent areas.
Despite the challenges, Clement’s determination and community support prevailed, culminating in a successful agreement with Young’s. The deal marked a significant milestone for The Queen of the South, but the group still needs to raise additional funds to secure its future. A potential investor dinner is scheduled to attract further investment for the pub’s sustainability.
The positive outcome for The Queen of the South reflects a broad community effort and underscores the resilience of its sister venue, Prince of Peckham. The future looks promising for these establishments as they continue to serve their respective communities.
—