Kirsty Valentine, who was the first licensee to lose a PICA-Service case, was forcibly removed from the pub by bailiffs this morning for non payment of rent.
Around 30 protestors – including members of campaign groups Licensees Supporting Licensees and Fair Deal for Your Local and local MP Jeremy Corbyn - gathered at the pub from 9am on Friday to support Valentine. The PMA was also in attendance but was asked to leave.
Valentine lost her appeal hearing against Enterprise at Shoreditch and Clerkenwell County Court in May. She had accused the pub company of not assessing her rent properly and misleading her into signing a rent review. However, it is thought more litigation remains.
The eviction caused a twitter storm.
A petition was launched by campaign group “Battle for the Alma” calling for the pub to be registered as an Asset of Community Value. Currently, 547 people have signed the petition.
Enterprise Inns said it was “disappointed” it could not reach a compromise with Valentine but confirmed that it was looking for a new tenant to continue running the pub as soon as possible.
A spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that despite repeated efforts to reach a compromise with Ms Valentine she has been consistently determined not to honour the terms of her tenancy agreement and she and her associates have regularly provided misleading and false information regarding the situation.
“Regrettably therefore, we have been left with no alternative but to revoke her tenancy and will seek to put in place a new operator as soon as possible. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the Alma continues to be a great pub at the heart of its community.”