Last chance for Camden licensee fighting to save pub from HS2 bulldozers
Craig Douglas, who operates popular real ale pub the Bree Louise, has repeatedly spoken out against the project, which will see the venue demolished as part of controversial plans to redevelop Euston station.
The final reading of the HS2 bill will take place in the House of Commons today (Wednesday 23 March). Ahead of the reading, Douglas is urging fans of the pub to write to MPs to protest against the plans and encouraging them to sign a petition, which describes HS2 as "all pain and no gain for Camden".
'Final chapter'
"Tomorrow sees the final chapter of this phase," he said. "We've been bombarding social media with calls to write to MPs and sign the petition." So far, the petition has had more than 5,000 signatures.
The licensee appeared in front of a House of Commons select committee at the end of last year, where he asked that "HS2 do everything in its power to use the existing footprint of Euston station for the design."
He said: "Having been at the Bree Louise for 12 years now, it's my house, it's my home, my family home, my family business. For the past 11 years, we continued to invest in the property and in the past 18 months alone, we've invested £50,000 to keep the pub on top of its game.
"We employ more than 20 members of staff, all of whom are devoted, and I'm proud to say we pay the living wage not the minimum wage. It's what we do, because I think it's the right thing to do."
Douglas took over the pub, then called the Jolly Gardens in 2004, and renamed it the Bree Louise in recognition to his daughter, who had passed away the previous year.
