Re-opening of Prince of Wales public house will help “restore” the heart of East Barnet village after over a year’s closure

After fearing the worst when the Prince of Wales closed its doors in February last year, residents of East Barnet village now have access to a public house and dining area which has been extended and refurbished as a result of multi-million-pound investment.

Kitchen staff joined the rest of a newly recruited workforce of around 60 full-time and part-time employees who were ushered in by general manager Rory McMonagle on the first day of business.

He told them to enjoy the experience of helping to launch the latest pub and restaurant to be opened by the Heartwood Collection which is expanding its chain of licensed premises with dining areas.

Early last year it had seemed touch and go when there were fears as to whether the former owners, Stonegate Group, might sell pub and its site for residential or commercial development.

So concerned were local residents they might lose the last pub in the village that East Barnet councillor Phil Cohen (above) worked with East Barnet Residents Association to raise a petition with over 3,000 signatures calling for it to be saved.

Barnet Council stepped in by registering the Prince of Wales as an asset of community value – a move which gave local councillors and residents time to see if they could find a way of rescuing the pub.

“The community campaign was so important because we think it helped persuade Stonegate that the Prince of Wales should be handed on to another pub group rather than sold for redevelopment,” said Councillor Cohen.

“It demonstrates how community groups and their representatives can have a real influence.

“Luckily Stonegate sold it to Heartwood who specialise in rescuing pubs facing closure and then in redeveloping their dining areas.”

Mark Derry (second from right), chairman of Heartwood, said he made the decision to recommend the purchase of the Prince of Wales because it was at the heart of a real community, and he thought that with the right investment it had great potential.

“We are very much a food-led business, and we are partners with Brasserie Blanc so we are a food-led business with a great tradition of cooking every meal from scratch.”

Mr Derry was joined for the opening ceremony by Councillor Cohen, East Barnet Councillor Edith David and Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson.

Councillor Tony Vourou, Mayor of Barnet, cut the ribbon to open the pub – aided by the Mayoress, Mrs Caroline Vourou, and general manager Rory McMonagle.

The Prince of Wales has a restaurant with 90 covers plus another 70 to 80 covers in the bar and terrace outside.

Mr McMonagle said he could assure East Barnet village that everything had been done to ensure that local residents would feel at home.

“We have kept the traditional bar area with the same layout as before, so it will be familiar to regular customers.

“Our bar has reasonable prices, in line with the local licensed trade, and our bar menu is affordable.

“We know that the Prince of Wales has always been a great community pub – a place where there have over the years there have been countless family celebrations, birthday parties and wakes.  So, we are here to welcome everyone.

“We have around 40 full-time and part time staff in the front of house and 20 in the kitchen and at least 80 per cent of the staff live in the locality and probably know the area and the community.”

After the official opening there was a ceremonial pulling of the first pint – led by Dan Tomlinson under Mr McMonagle’s guidance.

Councillor Edith David said she was delighted the Prince of Wales had been saved.

“It’s a pub at the heart of the community. It’s where generation after generation have enjoyed a drink and some food whether after a wedding or some other family event, which explains why we were all so anxious to save the Prince of Wales.”

There is now a new sign for the pub which is on a site – close to the junction of Church Hill Road and Cat Hill — where there have been licensed premises since 1876.

The first licensee was William Jackson who built houses in the adjoining Jackson Road.