Catford Bridge Tavern - Death and Rebirth

There were three men came out of the west, their fortunes for to try 
And these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn must die 
They've ploughed, they've sown, they've harrowed him in Threw clods upon his head 
And these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn was dead 
They've let him lie for a very long time, 'til the rains from heaven did fall 
And little Sir John sprung up his head and so amazed them all
John Barleycorn, Traffic

The Catford Bridge Tavern has been forced to close, but hopes to make a swift return (for the background, click here). Manager Richard explains:

Punch Taverns, who were leaseholders and with whom we had a tenancy at will, served us notice and took the freeholder's offer to end the lease. Punch have been good to us - they tried to assign the lease to us, tried to sub-let to us, both were blocked by freeholder. So we emptied and left the building today.

The freeholder has agreed a deal with a national retailer to take over the space, but the retailer was unaware of the Article 4 Direction put in place by Lewisham Council. Article 4 Direction essentially makes a supermarket impossible. So we're hopeful of either getting a sub-lease from the retailer, or a lease from freeholder. Either way, we're confident we have a good chance - we could re-open soon, all being well!