Pub with a celeb past is set for new lease of life through ‘Kirsty Allsopp connection’

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

A west London pub owned by a company believed to be connected to Kirsty Allsopp’s partner has been granted permission to open, though only once further key documentation is submitted.

The Latimer Road premises, previously known as Ariadne’s Nectar Bar, was purchased by property management firm Wentworth Andersen in May 2023.

The company, with which Ms Allsopp’s partner Ben Andersen is believed to be involved, is hoping to open the pub in early 2025 as The Volunteer.

In its application for the site, approved by Kensington and Chelsea council earlier this month, Wentworth Andersen requested opening hours from 10am-11.30pm Sunday to Wednesday, and midnight Thursday to Saturday.

The submission however received three objections raising concerns about the proposal. One warned the pub would cause ‘significant noise’, and that its opening hours could draw gangs to Latimer Road.

They wrote: “These vulnerable groups may find it particularly challenging to navigate through crowded and chaotic street conditions, which can force them onto the road, compromising their safety and escalating the risk of accidents. This lack of safe passage on the road is unacceptable and poses serious safety concerns for the community.”

The licensing sub-committee resolved to grant the requested opening hours, with alcohol to be sold both on and off the premises between 10am-11pm Sunday to Wednesday, and to 11.30pm the remainder of the week. The use of the private forecourt, however, is to end at 10pm.

A series of conditions were imposed, including that the pub cannot open until an acoustic report has been submitted assessing whether further works are required to protect nearby residents, as well as a dispersal and external management plan.

‘Substantial’ food is also to be available until at least 10pm, a condition added by the committee itself, and meetings must be held at a minimum once a year between the premises licence holder, local ward councillors and the St Quintin and Woodlands Neighbourhood Forum (SQWNF).

According to the minutes from the meeting, Henry Peterson, chair of SQWNF, told the committee that while there was just one representation from the group calling for the proposal to either be refused or deferred, this was backed by 51 of its members.

He continued to reiterate the society’s concerns, ranging from the late closing hours to fears the premises will be turned to residential use instead of a pub long-term.

Joe Harvey, legal counsel for the applicant, said Wentworth Andersen had a history of owning pubs as well as commercial properties.

The committee concluded the hours sought were ‘modest’, and that while the pub’s history understandably meant there was concern about its future use, “the Applicant was a completely different operator and fear of what may happen was not a reason to refuse an application.”

The Daily Mail earlier this year reported that during its time as Ariadne’s, the pub was visited by celebrities including Blur singer Damon Albarn and members of The Clash.

In 2018, journalist and sister of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Rachel Johnson, and model and actress Amber Anderson launched a campaign to keep it open following a raft of noise complaints.

Earlier this year, Wentworth Andersen drew the anger of some locals after a sign was put up on the building with Allsopp’s surname on it. A source told the Daily Mail the sign was put up to advertise a beer brand which was established by Ms Allsopp’s great great grandfather, and is now being revived by her cousin Jamie.

The pub, however, had its licence revoked in 2020, which took effect two years’ later following a withdrawn appeal against the decision.

Wentworth Andersen has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: The Latimer Road pub granted a new licence (Picture: LDRS)