Stuart Langley at the Dartmouth Arms

A BACKSTREET pub faces a battle with a multi-million-pound asset management company to save the business.

The Dartmouth Arms, in York Rise, Dartmouth Park, has been trading since 1862 but is under threat after a demand for increased rent paid up front and a hefty bill for disputed building works.

Pub owner Stuart Langley has been given a fortnight to pay up and meet other costs – or be evicted.

“We’ve been at Dartmouth Arms since 2018 and made a success of a pub with a difficult trading history,” he said.

“Our new landlord has sent us a bill for almost £70,000 in costs, and told to either pay in full, immediately, or be removed from the pub. They are also threatening to come after us personally for the full value of the 15 years remaining on the lease, unless we pay up. It’s unbelievable.”

The pub is used by numerous civic and community groups, hosts charitable events and provided working spaces during Covid. It is at the centre of the annual York Rise Street Party held every September, which it helps to fund.

Mr Langley told the New Journal the demands came out of the blue and any attempt to find a working solution has been met by uncompromising lawyers’ letters.

“We look after the property and owe no rent,” Mr Langley said. “It’s incredibly stressful for us and the team.

“Despite paying 50 per cent of what’s been asked, and seeking an agreement on what else is outstanding, the landlord has given us a fortnight.

“Our choice is to rack up huge legal bills to fight the unfairness of it, or pay the money by July 24.  Either way we risk the business becoming unsustainable and having to close.”

The bar was made an Asset of Community Value in 2015 after a pub firm tried to convert it into flats.
Since Mr Langley took on the lease he has had three different owners to pay rent to. It changed hands again in February, taken on by the Song investment fund.

Agent Billy Buchanan, who works for LT Management and manages the pub on behalf of Song Capital, said the owners had made a reasonable request asking the publican to pay rent each quarter in advance.

He said: “It is simple. Song Capital are neither good nor bad landlords. They have made an extremely fair proposal. They just want the agreed lease adhered to. There is no intention of closing the pub. If he has to leave, someone else will go in and run it. If Mr Langley pays his rent on time, he can stay for the rest of his lease.”

He added that requests for quarterly rent in advance is standard practice and in keeping with the terms of the lease.

Mr Langley said: “The pub works. Now – on the cusp of seeing some return on that investment and energy – these guys want to take it back. It’s like the pub is being traded like a stock or share.”