Builders Arms pub, New Barnet: trade being hit hard by housebuilding

Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson has spoken out following concerns raised by the Builders Arms pub in New Barnet, which is next to the Park Quarter site where developer Fairview New Homes is building 44 residential units.

Because the pub directly faces the construction site in Albert Road, since the summer staff have complained about traffic and building materials blocking the road and the pub’s entranceway.

The pub’s manager even said they were losing six hours of trade as they were only opening after work on the construction site was finished each day.

Mr Tomlinson joined local ward councillors in calling a meeting between Fairview and the pub, which took place last month, in a bid to improve safety for staff and customers.

The newly-elected Labour MP said: “It was important for the pub to know they can say to Fairview [that] the local MP and councillors are going to keep putting pressure on this.”

Fairview has described it as a “positive meeting” and agreed to some changes to be implemented, including new signage and street lighting.

Mr Tomlinson said: “We now wait to see the extent to which Fairview will be able to do things differently, to be able to be better neighbours and for the pub to get the changes it needs.

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“If I receive a call or get an update from the pub to help more I will be ready.”

Fairview has also said an “ongoing investigation” into an incident where a customer was hurt was taking place.

The pub’s assistant manager Nina Hristova raised concerns after a fence from the construction site “fell” on a customer and said the incident was “registered” but that “nothing” had been done by the developer.

In the lead-up to the meeting, Mr Tomlinson joined East Barnet ward councillors Edith David and Phil Cohen, as well as local residents, in meeting pub staff to “rally support”. 

Mr Tomlinson said: “I called the pub directly and spoke with Nina to hear what was going on and offer my support, give her my number and say if you need my help, let me know.”

A Fairview New Homes spokesperson said: “We held a positive meeting with [ward] councillor Radford and the management of the Builders Arms, resulting in new directional signage and additional street lighting being erected to ensure local residents are aware that the pub is open for business. 

“We are also assisting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with its ongoing investigation into the alleged incident.”