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From the
https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk By Craig Simpson, 21
October 2017.
A much-loved Crystal Palace pub has been given the 'sad news' that it is set to close on its busiest night of the year.
November 5 will be the final day of trading for the pub on the Palace Triangle.
The Grape and Grain.
A much-loved Crystal Palace pub is set to close on its busiest night of
the year as time is finally called for the Grape and Grain.
The local which forged a reputation as a must-visit venue for live music
lovers has delivered the “sad news” that it will join the growing
numbers of “dying” pubs across the country.
Lack of investment and mounting losses were given as reasons for the
demise of the drinking spot on Anerley Hill.
It will close just weeks after loyal locals rallied round to show their
support for the flagging pub.
But it is expected to go out with a bang on its most successful time of
the year as hundreds are expected through doors on Bonfire Night.
John Grover runs the pub with his wife Heather.
John, 65, said: “We’re going to be closing on November 5 – usually our
busiest night of the year.
“It’s really sad news. Pubs in general are in trouble. They’re dying.
“I come from a pub culture, but that doesn’t seem to be around anymore.”
The Grape and Grain held a gathering on October 18 where Crystal Palace
locals passionate about the live-music venue rallied to drink in support
of their favourite boozer.
Comedian Mark Steel was drinking at the pub with dozens of others,
lamenting the lack of investment in the drinking spot which is owned by
Wetherpoons but run independently.
He said: “It has the best beer in the Palace. It’s a great spot, and so
community-orientated.
“But maybe it should just be left derelict, eh? Maybe that would be
better, just boarding it up like so many others.”
The pub was celebrated by its passionate patrons for being a hub for
community, offering music and entertainment almost every night.
Wetherspoons have said that they wanted to invest in the pub but were
hampered by lack of planning permission for expansion plans from Bromley
Borough Council. The council has not offered comment.
Since the announcement of closure, a spokesman for Wetherspoons has said
the pub chain “cannot comment further”.
Those running the pub have said much-needed investment has dried up
while the pub remained in a planning limbo.
Heather Grover, who runs the pub with her husband, said: “We came here
four years ago and we’ve really been welcomed into the community.
“We used to be busy every night. We’d have a big Jazz band, blues, a
quiz night – every night there was something.
“There would be a great crowd that came here, but with all the
uncertainty it became hard to book acts.
“We’ve seen the numbers die off and the business go.
"Staff didn’t know how long they would have a job for, so kitchen staff
left, although we still do a proper roast.
“This place needed certainty, and it needed investment. Every few years
a pub needs to have money spent on it.
“We haven’t got that.”
The pub opened its doors to all local people, offering local chefs a
place to cook their food, environmental groups to grow hops and other
crops, and providing a place for community groups to meet.
Crystal Palace resident Ruth Bannister was present with a crowd of other
locals on October 18.
She said: “You get such a mix of people here, people from all walks of
life come together and have a good time.
“It’s so welcoming. It’s one big community.
“You can get you bars and your gastro-pubs anywhere, but this is a
proper local pub.
“It has fantastic live music and that’s another thing which comes under
threat when places like this close.
“It’s been in limbo. We just want to save the pub, it deserves to be
successful, and John and Heather deserve something back after what they
have put into the community.”
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