A FAMILY which has run one of Farnham’s best-loved pubs for more than three decades has voiced concern for the future as pressures caused by the pandemic begin to stack up.

The Rolfe family has owned the William Cobbett pub since 1986 – in the very building where the great 18th century social reformer William Cobbett was born.

But growing tensions between the pub and its landlord has led to a dispute over rent payments, which the family fear could force them to sell up.

Like all pubs, the William Cobbett had to close its doors in March.

But unlike many other pub companies, landlord Tavern Propco has so far refused to offer any rent holidays to its 370 tenants across the country, beyond a few token discounts which must be paid back.

This has left the William Cobbett facing a crippling £60,000 bill in unpaid rent arrears.

The Rolfe family has owned the pub since 1986 – the lease initially taken by Peter and Shirley Rolfe – and is now managed by siblings Jessica, Holly and James.

Speaking to the Herald, licensee Jessica May (nee Rolfe), told of how she had been paying a reduced rent of 50 per cent – despite taking no earnings at the pub.

“We agreed 50 per cent for the closure, innocently assuming we were waiving the other 50 per cent – but it was always just a deferral,” she explained.

However, following the government’s announcement of the suspension of forfeiture of evictions to September 30 – meaning no business can be forced out of their premises if they miss a payment – and offers by other pub groups, she refused to continue paying the rent, but fears what could happen once the government protection ends.

“It varies from group to group, but we feel like the ones left out in the cold, as we have not been offered anything substantial,” she said.

The pub also did not qualify for government grants – instead being sent links how to borrow money by managers at Tavern Propco.

She has since joined the Forum of British Pubs – a tenants’ association.

Mrs May said after joining the association, Tavern Propco had offered a 20 per cent reduction for the closure – and the full rent upon re-opening – but the tenants’ association had written to the group, asking for “nine months rent free”.

“I’m not naive enough to think we are going to get that, but to me it should be an opening point to discuss with our representatives,” Mrs May explained.

And despite a busy and positive start after lockdown, Jessica said the pub needs some security on the future in case of a second wave – with a ‘clear and reasonable’ plan for repayments of rent.

Looking back at the pub’s history, she recognised the work of her father, who died ten years ago.

Commenting on how pubs “are the fabric of British society”, Mrs May spoke of her family’s long-lasting presence in the area, having previously owned the Duke of Cambridge pub in Tilford.

She said: “We would move heaven and earth to not leave here – it is the legacy for my father, and I did not see my dad spend 30 years’ hard graft in there to give it all up.

“Every young person who has ever lived in Farnham has walked through those doors and has such good memories – it would be such a shame that some global company could ruin it."

Tavern Propco – a private portfolio of 370 pubs owned by investment and management company Global Mutual – has told licensees each pub would be dealt with on a “case by case” basis.

And in a statement for the Herald added: "Global Mutual has a diverse portfolio of assets including pubs covered by a variety of commercial lease agreements.

"We understand that our tenants are affected particularly badly by the pandemic and are experiencing significant personal and business stress in this global crisis.

"Our overall aim is to help these businesses to find ways to survive the crisis and then go on to thrive again.

"The pub businesses in the portfolio are very disparate, ranging from food-led rural pubs with seasonal variations to town centre bars and inner-city nightclubs. Each pub has received varying levels of Government support during the pandemic.

"The Global Mutual management team includes pub specialists who are working with our tenants to fully understand their specific needs and concerns.

"Thanks to these unique elements and the different types of operation, our pub specialists are liaising with each tenant on a one-to-one basis, to reach personalised solutions and recovery plans.

"These are fully aligned with the standards set out in the Code of Practice for commercial property relationships and the extension to the moratorium on forfeiture of commercial leases for non-payment of rent."