Harrow Council has been accused of “dragging their feet” in finding a “proper solution” in dealing with anti-social behaviour at a car park that led to the closure of a pub.
The Case is Altered, situated at the Old Redding beside Harrow Viewpoint, officially announced its permanent closure yesterday (March 14) after years of the carpark near to the pub being closed intermittently since 2019.
The pub’s owner was working with Harrow Council for the past few years to find some form of solution in dealing with the suggested anti-social behaviour reports received in the car park.
Along with potential customers being unable to park at the viewpoint car park, the parking situation worsened last year when double yellow lines were installed on both sides of Old Redding road in October.
Prior to the pub’s announcement, there have been many petitions gaining thousands of signatures of people outraged by the parking disruptions at the carpark, with many fearing the pub would have to shut if the council did not remedy the issue.
The car park restrictions has essentially forced the pub to shut . Credit: Adam Shaw / LDR
Now we’ve asked readers how they feel about the pub having to close, despite the pub owner previously warning in November that it would have to shut “within months” If the council did not find a solution.
Frances Mingard said: “I think it’s a disgrace that Harrow Council have virtually closed that car park. It has been used by walkers and sightseers for many years.”
Another reader, Roderick Cutler, said: “This shouldn’t have happened. But due to council dragging their feet and not sorting out a proper solution to this supposed problem there, it has forced a pub to fail.
“This falls squarely at the council’s door.”
Pat Moloney said that The Case is Altered is a “favourite pub” where her mum worked years ago.
She said: “Drank there when lived locally. Used the car park extensively and recently unable to use it, there seems little rhythm or reason for the lengthy closure and loss of amenity of the common woods.”
Jane Arens questioned: “Can’t they police the car park a bit better, maybe cameras?”
The viewpoint. Credit: Adam Shaw / LDR
Meanwhile Peter Caseley said he is “outraged” that “another part of our pub heritage is to be wiped out”.
Cllr Graham Henson, Harrow Council’s leader, said: “It would have been a dereliction of the council’s duties to ignore the problems at the Old Redding car park. It had become a hotspot for crime, assaults, vandalism, drug taking and public sex. Such incidents were taking place regularly, with people often gathering from late afternoon to the early hours of the morning.”
He added that people were “understandably distressed” but the council aimed to make the area “a place where families could safely visit”.
He claims that the council offered “a number of solutions” including shared security management which would be costly to the pub owner, and that the council “cannot justify” to foot the bill to maintain security late at night.
See other responses to the pub’s closure below:
Community answers
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?
"The pub by Harrow Viewpoint has been through a whirlwind after the varying restrictions at the Old Redding car park. People within the Harrow community as well as neighbouring towns including Watford have been vocal in their upset on the car park restrictions - fearing that the pub could close and stating it has impacted them strolling through the viewpoint. Let us know how you feel about the pub's closure."
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Absolutely gutted this lovely pub is closing. It was a beautiful pub in a perfect setting. So unfair that the pub had to suffer due to council restrictions. They were given no support. Shameful!
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Harrow council yet again deny their citizens a living and a life. This road is neolithic (30,000 years old) and for faceless accountants to destroy it with their avarice is barbaric. None of them should ever be allowed to earn their living nor enjoy their freetime.
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?It’s sad, a local favourite for so long, Harrow have done it again - however, it is listed! So hopefully won’t become a block of flats !
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Harrow is losing the history of the area. The pub has been standing and serving people for centuries. As part of the City (housing of workers from The Kiln, part of the Cross and Blackwell family) it was nick named The Cathedral, as you cannot have a city without a cathedral. The history is too numberous to mention here and a plaque or explaination should be dispalyed. Why hasn't this historical building and it's socail history not valued. Isn't the view point carpark common land? Therefore, Harrow council have no right to restrict its use. It was part of the Blackwell estate. I am deeply upset The Case has shut.
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?I've not been to this pub in several years however used to go when we had dogs, being able to park nearby was essential and it's such a shame as was ideal for family days out as such lovely views. So sad that the council felt their only option to deal with antisocial behaviour was to close the car park at 4pm, surely 10.30pm would have been sufficient and allowed a better chance for clients at the pub. Another business failed thru no fault of their own :(
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Give it 2 months there will be 100 flats built there that no normal person could afford because they offer a scenic view of nw London.
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Very sad. Harrow Council should hang their head in shame. They are totally to blame
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?I think that this is a terrible decision. This was a popular pub used by families, dog walkers etc. Harrow council have treated this pub so badly and forced them out. Shame on them!!! Now we will expect to see a huge development of flats. Greed over a community asset, thats whhat it is.
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Very sad and disappointed would like to appeal the decision to sell the land. Feels like the landowners have deliberately made it difficult for the pub to function.
How do you feel about The Case is Altered closing?Disgraceful, why close, such a great pub in a beautiful spot, used by so many for a long time...😡😡😡😡
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