A historic West London pub shut down at the end of last year has won its battle to reopen – but still needs to fork out £100k in repairs.

Richmond Council was asked to give the venue “back to the community” at a licensing meeting in June.

The Hand and Flower on Upper Ham Road saw its licence revoked in November 2021 after a review requested by the Met Police.

Freeholder Ei Group Ltd took back possession of the pub in April this year after the eviction of the former tenant and licence holder and applied for a new booze licence to reopen the venue.

Richmond and Twickenham Times: Hand & Flower, 24 Upper Ham Road, Richmond (photo: LDRS)Hand & Flower, 24 Upper Ham Road, Richmond (photo: LDRS)

But the pub won’t reopen until around September because of the expected scale of refurbishment needed – likely costing around £100,000 according to the pub company.

Richmond Council’s licensing sub-committee were told in June that the major revamp is needed because of the pub’s “very poor condition”.

Solicitor Richard Taylor, speaking on behalf of Ei Group Ltd, said the new freeholder wanted the venue “to be a benefit to the community rather than a burden upon it” and that it would need to “invest significantly” in refurbishment.

Mr Taylor said: “What we are seeking to do now is get the licence back.

"We will find a new tenant about whom we will liaise with the police to ensure that new tenant is suitable, that new tenant will be a proven operator and we will retain the premises licence and the way we see this pub moving forward is effectively a food-led public house with premium drinks – effectively to reflect and complement the area in which it sits.”

Councillor Andrée Frieze told members that locals were “very, very keen” to see the pub back in action but raised concerns over rowdy behaviour from staying open late.

The hours initially requested by Ei Group Ltd had been cut by the time of the meeting in response to residents’ fears – with one local previously writing to the council claiming it was difficult to see how the “continuing downward spiral” of the pub could be prevented “without substantial investment”. 

The council’s licensing sub-committee has now granted the pub a new booze licence but added extra conditions – including a requirement to secure the pub’s outside area so the public can’t access it after it has closed.

The outside area is allowed to open to the public between 10am and 10pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 10am to 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub will be able to host entertainment from 10am to 11pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 10am to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays.

It has been given the green light to sell booze until 11pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub will close at 11.30pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub is expected to reopen around September after the planned revamp is finished.