‘We can’t be replaced’: Brighton’s ‘only alternative pub’ given new five-year lease

The company agreed yesterday (Monday 9 November) to give the Caroline of Brunswick a new contract in November 2017, following the pub’s lengthy campaign to stay open, according to local paper The Argus​.

Brighton MP Caroline Lucas also joined the campaign to save the pub in December 2016.

Great to hear the Caroline of Brunswick lease will be renewed. Congrats to all @carolinepub - a special place for many #Brighton residents

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) January 10, 2017

A ‘nice surprise’​

Leaseholder Cliff Barnes told The Morning Advertiser​ (MA​) that the news came as a “nice surprise”.

On the pub campaign’s Facebook page, Save the Caz!, users posted congratulatory messages once the news was announced.

 ‘A badge of honour’​

Barnes told the MA ​the pub had also submitted an application for assets of community value (ACV) status and was waiting for the council to approve it.

He added: “It would be a badge of honour."

"We're not just your average normal pub that can be replaced without people kicking up a fuss."

‘No intention of closing’​

Last month, Punch CEO Duncan Garrood claimed that Punch had “no intension” of closing the Caroline of Brunswick and claimed it was a “hub” of cultural, music and comedy entertainment in the city.​

Garrood added that the pub was either going to be operated under the company’s Falcon model, which allows licensees to have an open-ended time frame as well as a percentage of turnover, or under a five-year tenancy agreement.

A Punch spokesperson was not available for comment.