The Black Cap has stood closed for seven years

A FIRESALE featuring three renowned Camden pubs is at an “advanced stage” – after the owner of a controversial chain went into administration.

Kicking Horse, bought up the Sir Richard Steele in Belsize Park, the Dartmouth Arms in Dartmouth Park and the Black Cap in Camden Town.

But after investing in the successful pubs, the company was unsuccessful with attempts to secure planning permission to convert upper floors into housing. After facing numerous objections to redevelopment schemes and financial difficulties which have been partly blamed on the struggles caused by Covid, documents show the company is being liquidated.

Now, new owners from asset sale firm LSS are marketing the pubs for sale. The portfolio also includes the historic, listed Warrington Hotel pub in Maida Vale and another venue in Surrey. Trade adverts show all four on sale together – but the LSS told the New Journal that deals were nearing completion and not to one individual. Director Andy Merricks said he could not discuss details as sales were in “advanced stages”.

Sir Richard Steele pub, often just known as the ‘Steeles’

The Black Cap, Camden Town’s legendary LGBTQ+ venue, was suddenly closed in 2015 as the firm sought to win permission to build housing above the bars. It has been at the centre of an on-going campaign to get the venue re-opened as a cabaret and LGBTQ+ bar.

Members of the Black Cap Community Benefit Society have been attempting for years to negotiate a lease to run the pub, listed as an asset of community value. They say the pub should never have been closed, was a successful going concern and a vital part of London’s gay scene. Mr Merricks said the once-bustling venue was up for sale and had attracted a number of possible new owners.

He said: “We are in talks with a number of parties, two of which are showing a high level of interest but we at very early stages.”

Cabaret star and Black Cap campaign co-ordinator Alex Green told the New Journal they had put together a business plan that included high-level investment to get the popular pub back open.

He said: “We are aware of the owners marketing the Black Cap as part of a package of pubs. These are what are left after the company that owned the Cap was put into liquidation.

“The Black Cap Community is in discussions to buy the freehold of the Cap separately but if it is sold in the meantime as part of this package we will engage with any new owner to do the same.

“It’s interesting that in the sales details the owners do not mention the asset of community value and the sui generis – one of a kind – planning protections that ringfence the Cap as a pub and performance venue for the LGBTQ+ community.”

He added: “Any potential buyer will soon find this out and realise that there is no residential or other development opportunity with the Cap – but that there is and will remain a very active community campaign fighting to restore the Cap to its rightful place.”

Lidquidation documents at Companies House for Kicking Horse said it has been “severely affected by the pandemic” and that it was owed money from breweries that were themselves going through an insolvency process.