REGULARS at the quaint Waterman's Arms pub in Richmond were devastated this week when they heard that the garden - a precious and irreplaceable amenity' - will be sold by Richmond upon Thames Council.

Yesterday morning Thursday council workers arrived at the pub, situated in Water Lane between Richmond Green and the river, to erect a six foot high hoarding around the area. The garden belongs to the council and the lease held by Young's Brewery has now expired.

The brewery held an informal meeting on Wednesday with pub users and local residents to inform them that the company now wishes to purchase the garden and enhance the amenity for the whole town. But the council have confirmed they are not willing to sell and will not renew or extend the lease for any period of time.

Richmond resident John Coates, a regular customer at the Waterman's Arms for ten years, said: "It is far from certain that this jewel of a pub will survive economically without the garden. Regulars of the Waterman's Arms are therefore dismayed by the failure of Young's Brewery and Richmond Council to reach an agreement over the future of the garden.

"The enclosed area is one of only three in the town centre next to a traditional pub, and is therefore a godsend for families who find it impossible to take their kids inside other bars. The garden also lets light into an otherwise dark and narrow thoroughfare and provides pedestrians with an added sense of security when customers are using the pub garden."

A council spokesman said: "This land is on the council's disposal schedule and its lease has now expired. The sale will generate receipts that will be used for the benefit of all the borough's residents. The future use is likely to be a small-scale residential development."

We recognise the Council has a duty to manage its property assets effectively. But rather than close this precious and irreplaceable amenity forever, it should now consider with Young's Brewery ways of enhancing it, to the benefit of the community.

"In the short term, closing off the garden will create an unsightly, rat-infested rubbish tip, as people throw waste over the remaining garden fence and spread graffiti over the hoarding. If the site must be redeveloped for housing, why can't the garden be kept open until that actually happens?"

A council spokesman said: "This land is on the council's disposal schedule and its lease has now expired. The sale will generate receipts that will be used for the benefit of all the borough's residents. The future use is likely to be a small-scale residential development.

"The land will be fenced off securely, with a gate that will allow regular maintenance to ensure that it will not become an eyesore."

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