Doors thrown open at the Jolly Anglers

Adam Hewitt • Published 1 Mar 2010 19:00 0 Comments

PUBGOERS could finally raise a pint when their boozer reopened today (Monday).

The Jolly Anglers in Kennetside, east Reading, has been closed since June last year when former owners Enterprise Inns sold it suddenly, with a restrictive covenant slapped on it banning its use as a pub.

But after a grassroots campaign, 'Jollydarity', the pub is back open under new management - but the same landlord - after Enterprise lifted the covenant and Reading Borough Council granted a new licence.

Cathy Marsden, who helped lead the campaign, said: "This was a real David and Goliath struggle. Local people versus the giant corporation of Enterprise Inns. And we won!"

She said the Jollydarity campaign would carry on and engage fun events in the area, adding: "Events which bring different parts of the Newtown and Kennet Walk community together to get to know each other and help each other out where possible. This group will be open to everyone in the community, it will not be based on politics, religion or anything else. All you have to do to join is to live in Newtown or Kennet Walk."

Politicians of the four main parties in east Reading welcomed the news.

Reading East Lib Dem candidate Gareth Epps said: "As an active member of the Jollydarity campaign from the start, I am absolutely delighted that the campaign has ended in victory. In an age when supermarkets selling irresponsibly cut-priced booze cause so many problems, this is a victory for those wanting a quiet pint with their neighbours in their local."

Labour's Anneliese Dodds promised to keep up pressure on the Government to better regulate big pub chains, which she branded "anti-competitive".

For pictures from the re-opening, see Thursday's Reading Chronicle.

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