Pubs wait to find out their fate (From Your Local Guardian)

Two community pubs wait to find out their fate

7:00am Sunday 19th August 2012 in Epsom By Hardeep Matharu

Two communities are anxiously waiting to find out which mystery buyers have bought their local pubs.

The Worcester Park Tavern, put on the market in May by owners Spirit Pub Company, closed its doors for the last time on Tuesday (August 14).

The Campaign for Real Ale and hundreds of residents have been campaigning to save the landmark pub on a prime site near Worcester Park station, which they fear could be knocked down for flats.

Former customer and bar maid June Fraser, 50, organised a petition signed by 500 people to save it from development.

She said: "It has been sold but it is all very hush-hush as to who has bought it.

"My worry is that a developer had bought it and will turn it into flats and I am running a campaign to stop that happening.

"We need community pubs with a local focus."

But a spokesperson for Spirit Pub Company said because the sale is not completed the buyer’s identity could not be revealed.

Just a few miles away in Ewell residents have also been eagerly waiting to discover what the future holds for the now-closed Organ and Dragon pub site.

The Epsom Guardian reported the pub’s closure on July 17 and the news sparked anger from residents who claimed it was a popular and successful business due to its Thai restaurant.

But rumours have emerged this week that an announcement on The Organ and Dragon’s future may be due in the next few days.

Do you know what the future hold for these two much-loved watering holes? Email hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk