Article by: Rory Poulter

Moves to re-open an historic pub in Ham that was shut down on the advice of the police amid widespread criminality are being fought by residents.

The Hand & Flower in Ham had its licence revoked in November last year by Richmond Borough Council on the advice of the police.

Now the owners of the Freehold are applying for a new licence for new tenants that could see the pub selling drink and providing entertainment, including music, until 1.30am at weekends.

Richmond Borough Council's Licensing sub-committee is due to make a decision on the application on Wednesday evening – June 8.

Residents who live in the surrounding streets are have objected to the late opening with the resulting – likely - disturbance. Some object to the pub re-opening at all.

The Freehold is owned by the Ei Group, which is part of Stonegate Group. It has applied to open from 10am to 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights. They want to open from 10am-00.30am on other days.

Significantly, as well as serving drink, the application includes the right to offer films, indoor sporting events, live and recorded music, during these hours.

Objections fall under the headings that the opening hours are far too late; a history of noise issues at the site; the fact it is close to many homes; a potential for disorder and drunkenness. Local Lib-Dem and Green councillors have supported the objections.

One resident complained the late hours are 'more suited to a city centre venue than a pub on Ham Common, near woods and a quiet residential area.'

Another said that before it was shut down: "The main problem was the behaviour of the low life clientele that it attracted with a lot of swearing and shouting/screaming both before and after closing time."

A third painted a grim picture of the pub, saying: "The pub has suffered over many years from chronic under investment. It has become rundown and seedy and the latest tenant's contribution was to create an impression almost reminiscent of a bombed Mariupol.

"The garden which at one time was well tended with mature trees has been …. covered in concrete. The previous tenant on one occasion even moved very large stereo speakers into the pub garden. All in all an ill fit for an historic Ham Common."

He said the police had been regularly called to the pub when it was open. On one occasion 40-50 revellers had to be expelled after midnight following a fight.

It is understood the pub was created on the site of a farm labourers cottage near Poulter's Gate for Sarah Burnham, a widow, in 1746.

The 'Hand and Flower' name appeared in the 1861 Census and it seems the property was elevated to the status of an Inn sometime between 1851 and 1861.