Save Our Summercross

The Summercross, a popular and historic community pub located in the conservation area of Otley (West Yorkshire), is under threat of redevelopment:

The Background

For some years the Summercross had been owned by Punch Taverns and the business suffered from a succession of short-term and generally disinterested landlords. In December 2005 the Summercross was one of a block of 205 pubs that where sold to the Petchey Group after which the pub closed. However, this proved to be a turning point. The pub soon reopened with a committed new landlord who took out a lease (with an option to renew) with Save Investments (part of the Petchey Group), and the pub started to prosper again.

Unfortunately, on 4 September 2006 the Summercross was purchased for £495,000 by Phase 7 Properties. The latter are a low profile London-based company who appear to specialise in redeveloping pubs as housing. The landlord only ever deal with their agents, another low profile company called Country Estates Management, who started to make things increasingly difficult. There was considerable procrastination about renewing the lease, eventually the landlord was informed that the lease would not be renewed and given notice to quit.

On 17 September 2007, with the landlord under notice, the pub was sold to Chartford Homes who are a Leeds-based property development company. In a letter dated 30 November 2007 responding to to the local MP, Chartford Homes confirmed their intention to redevelop the site for housing:

Click here for the full text of the above letter together with our initial rebuttal of the claims that it makes.

Click here to read the subsequent response letter from Greg Mullholland MP to the the letter from Chartford Homes.

It is evident from the above correspondence that Chartford Homes do not believe (or do not wish to believe) that the Summercross is economically viable as a pub. Click here for evidence to the contrary.

Demolition of the Summercross and redevelopment of the site must not be allowed to happen.

Was a profitable and growing business and the landlord encouraged live music, morris dancing and other pursuits such as popular quiz nights.
Is significant in the history of the town.
Was the only pub serving the eastern side of Otley providing an essential social focus for the community and a meeting place for local groups.
Is believed to be the only pub in the UK called the Summercross, the name is believed to relate to an ancient fording point across the nearby river Wharfe.
Has an excellent setting and a wonderful beer garden (by far the best in Otley).
Forms an important visual break with the adjacent public park, both contain mature trees and create an open centre to the area.
Occupies a historical location at the end of the Otley to Tadcaster turnpike and alongside the ancient route between Otley and York.
Is popular with people attending local events (such as matches at the Otley Rugby Club).
Served good beer and has good kitchen facilities (awarded the Casque Mark - May 2007 - and Leeds CAMRA most improved pub).
Was a sponsor of and a venue for the Otley Folk Festival.

Chartford Homes is the trading name of Chartford Developments Limited (Company No. 01592653). Their managing director is Chris Thompson and the registered office is ...

Chartford Developments Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bracken Limited (Company No. 02953413). They share the same registered office, have the same five directors (see below) and are both listed as privately owned "general construction & civil engineering" limited companies.

The directors of Chartford Developments Limited and Bracken Limited are: