Property developers expected to make announcement over its future in New Year

The new owners of The Goldsmiths Arms in East Acton say they will consult with the community about future plans and haven't ruled out the possibility that it could remain a pub.

It's been at the site at 130 East Acton Lane since the 1800s, is locally listed and has now been designated an asset of community value. An asset of community value is a building or other land, the main use of which furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

Camra ( Campaign for Real Ale) have pledged support and want to save it as a pub. 

At a recent meeting CAMRA's local Public Affairs Officer, Philip Portwood, outlined the history of the pub - dating from 1819- and backed the Goldsmiths Residents Association’s bid for the pub to be designated an Asset of Community Value. Mr Portwood said "if a 200 year old locally listed pub in a Conservation Area is lost, what pub will be next for closure ?"   

Others speaking at the meeting included local MP Dr Rupa Huq and local Cllr Hitesh Tailor, and representatives of the Goldsmiths Residents Association - whose application for the legal protection offered by Asset of Community Value status for the pub was subsequently agreed by LB Ealing Council, in a big boost for the campaign to stop the closure of the pub.

Dr Huq said in her speech "even as a teetotaller, I know the crucial community hub role played by the Goldsmiths Arms in the local East Acton community." The campaign was also backed by the presence at the meeting of two former Chairs of LB Ealing's Licensing Committee - Cllr Kate Crawford and Steve Donnelly.

No planning application has yet been submitted to Ealing Council to demolish or change the use of the pub site, but the pub's new owners - property developers MHA London - have kept its doors closed since September.

A spokesperson for MHA London has told Acton W3:

“MHA London recently purchased the freehold for the Goldsmiths Arms and, as local residents will be aware, we have now put up hoardings to protect the building while it is empty.

“Meanwhile we have put the pub’s lease on the market through an agent, to see what potential demand there is from possible operators. We are aware that there is a lot of local interest in the pub and we will of course consult with local communities before making any decision about the future of the building. We expect to be able to say more about this in 2018.”

19th December 2017