Press Release 15/01/10

The Portland gets a reprieve

Greene King said today that they were disappointed with developers, Farnswood, announcing publicly their proposed plans for the land on which the Portland Arms pub is located.  Greene King was in very early talks with the developer to try and understand the viability of their proposals.  No agreement had been reached on any proposal to sell the Portland or any new development.  Greene King has taken the decision to not continue with talks relating to the re-development of the area.

Speaking about the pub, David Elliott, managing director for Greene King Pub Partners said, “We have looked at the scheme put forward by the developers.  Having spoken to our licensees, Hayley and Steve and other interested parties, we have decided not to support this application at this current time.  The Portland Arms is a vibrant and valuable pub and will remain open for the foreseeable future”. 

“We’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch in relation to the Portland, both for and against the proposals.  It shows that, contrary to media interest, pubs are still very much in the hearts and minds of the British public”.

Hayley Yoxall and Steve Pellegrini, the licensees behind the success at the Portland added, “We’re relieved this has now been sorted out and we can get on with running our business at the pub”.

 Ends

Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, Public Relations Manager, Greene King Pub Partners

Further links:

The original Cambridge evening news story 04/01/10:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=474439&showallcomments=1&pagenumber=1#comments

Follow-up story about campaign:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=475381

Facebook campaign:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=232238386913

News article about the saving of the pub 18/01/09:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=477301