Heineken evicts Park Tavern managers after £150k refurbishment
Star Pubs cites 'serious issues' as Putney MP calls for investigation into lease dispute
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Only one named source (Amir Matinahmadi) and no independent corroboration.
Higher is stronger
Quotes affected parties and officials but lacks scrutiny of claims.
Higher is stronger
Headline overstates 'rally' and 'uprising' without proportional evidence.
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Managers of the Park Tavern in Southfields must leave the pub by 5 August 2025 after investing more than £150,000 to restore it. Star Pubs, the Heineken-owned freeholder, refused to renew the lease, citing what it called 'serious issues' during the tenure of leaseholder MFM Pub Group.
Amir Matinahmadi, speaking for MFM, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the company had transformed the historic pub into a community hub after it fell into disrepair. He said Star Pubs repeatedly withheld beer orders when rent payments were late, then fined MFM £3,500 for buying stock from other suppliers to keep the pub open.
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Dispute over lease renewal
MFM’s tenancy was due to expire in June 2025. Matinahmadi said Star Pubs gave 'false hope' of renewal during informal talks before serving a section 25 notice opposing the lease. He claims no court proceedings for possession have been issued, so the tenancy has not legally ended.
The dispute has affected staff, some of whom now face redundancy. Matinahmadi said telling employees the pub might close 'broke us'. MFM plans to refer the case to the Pubs Code Adjudicator, the independent regulator overseeing tied pub agreements.
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Political and community pressure
Putney MP Fleur Anderson has written to the Pubs Code Adjudicator calling for an investigation. Anderson said she had 'serious concerns' about how MFM had been treated and stood with residents who want the current management to stay.
The Park Tavern is one of the most beloved spots in this part of Putney. Residents have watched the current management transform it into a thriving, welcoming local. After investing so much into restoring the building, they deserve to be treated fairly.
Jasmin Glynne, Putney councillor
A Change.org petition set up by Putney councillor Jasmin Glynne has gathered over 1,000 signatures in two weeks. Glynne said the pub was a cherished local asset and urged Star Pubs to 'listen to the community'.
What happens next
Star Pubs said it had received interest from other operators to take over the Park Tavern. It plans to reopen the pub 'as soon as possible' after essential repairs, with a longer-term refurbishment of the ground floor and exterior.
MFM has not confirmed whether it will pursue legal action. The Pubs Code Adjudicator has not yet responded to Anderson’s request for an investigation. The adjudicator’s office said it could not comment on individual cases.
Questions this report answers
+Why are the managers of the Park Tavern being evicted?
Star Pubs, the pub’s freeholder, refused to renew the lease, citing 'serious issues' during MFM Pub Group’s tenure. MFM disputes this, claiming unfair treatment, including withheld beer orders and fines for sourcing stock elsewhere.
+How much did the managers spend restoring the Park Tavern?
MFM Pub Group invested over £150,000 to restore the Park Tavern after it fell into disrepair. The work aimed to return the historic pub to its role as a community hub in Southfields.
+What happens to the Park Tavern now?
Star Pubs plans to reopen the pub after essential repairs, with a longer-term refurbishment of the ground floor and exterior. It says other operators have expressed interest in taking over the lease once MFM leaves.
+How can residents support the current managers?
A Change.org petition set up by Putney councillor Jasmin Glynne has gathered over 1,000 signatures. Residents can sign the petition or contact the Pubs Code Adjudicator to voice concerns about the dispute.
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