Heartsease pub closed as Greene King looks for new partner

The Heartsease, alongside the roundabout of the same name, is a traditional pub with hundreds of homes on its doorstep.

Greene King announced it was searching for a new leaseholder in March last year with the "aim to find a new partner as soon as possible".

The Heartsease pub closed its doors last week (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

However, it appears no one is ready to take the reins, as the previous owners handed in their notice and closed the doors - with curtains remaining drawn and Christmas decorations still in the windows.

A Greene King spokeswoman confirmed: "Our business partner gave notice in 2023 and the pub closed last week.

The Heartsease pub is located in Plumstead Road (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"We're in the process of looking for a new partner for the Heartsease and exploring investment options."

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A pub has been at the site since 1839 and has been under the same ownership since November 2012, of Michael Breame and Rebecca Barker.

The owners, Greene King, started its search for a new owner in March 2023 (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

Claire Kidman, Labour city councillor for the Crome ward, said: "We hope Greene King can identify a new business partner so the pub can re-open soon.

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"We know through talking to fellow residents how important the Heartsease pub is to our community."

Crome city councillor Claire Kidman (Image: Claire Kidman)

Ian Mackie, Conservative county councillor for neighbouring Thorpe St Andrew, added: "The Heartsease pub is well located and has served the surrounding community for decades.

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"Being a leaseholder and licensee is no easy task, especially at this time of the year.

Ian Mackie, county councillor for neighbouring Thorpe St Andrew, said he hopes somebody will come forward to take over the pub (Image: Newsquest)

"I hope somebody will come forward and with the support of Greene King, make this pub the success it once was.

"It would be dreadful to see the slow decline and eventual loss of another urban pub outside of the city centre because the pub has the potential to be at the heart of the community."

Owners of the Heartsease, Greene King, said it's now looking for a new partner to run the pub (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)