Disruption caused by builders’ lorries and construction vehicles is a nightmare for New Barnet’s Builders Arms pub
Bar staff at the appropriately named Builders Arms in New Barnet are having to endure what they say is a living nightmare — the pub is now surrounded by a building site which is preventing access for daytime customers.
To their surprise and dismay Barnet Council has designated the roadway outside the pub’s front door as the authorised pit stop for the delivery of building materials for the Park View flats which are being built by Fairview New Homes.
“During the day our regulars just can’t get to the pub.” said assistant manager Nina Hristova seen above in despair as she surveyed the mayhem outside the front door of the Builders Arms.
“What’s happening to us is a scandal. When the contractors are all at work it is just too dangerous for our customers walk down Albert Road.
“Effectively it means we can’t open safely for business until 6pm in the evening. We are losing six hours’ trade every weekday.
“Sometimes Albert Road is completely blocked by builders’ trucks and lorries which are being unloaded by an enormous hydraulic crane.
“Fairview give us no notice of what is happening so we can’t plan our business or advise our customers.”
In addition to the difficulties caused by the construction of the Park Quarter flats — which are opposite the Builders Arms — the pub is having to come to terms with the prospect of long-term disruption.
Albert Road is an approach road to the much larger Victoria Quarter construction site where Fairview is to build eleven high-rise blocks of flats on the former gas works site.
Go ahead for this massive redevelopment to provide 420 homes finally won planning approval in March after years of heated debate.
The eleven blocks of flats on the gas works site – which is between the main railway line and the Victoria Recreation Ground — will range from four to eight storeys in height.
What is so frustrating to Nina and the rest of the staff is that there appears to be nothing the Builders Arms can do about the disruption they are having to contend with – and almost every day there seems to be a fresh dispute in the road outside.
In one incident a customer was hurt walking along the road. In a strong gust of wind, a metal door at a site entrance was blown open across the pavement, hitting the customer.
There was another argument when a traffic warden gave a member of staff a parking ticket while delivering supplies to the pub after the contractors complained that it was blocking one of their deliveries.
Nina and a colleague from the pub challenged the site supervisor Ricardo (see above).
He opened his mobile phone and showed them a copy of the authorisation issued by Barnet Council designating the roadway outside the pub as the pit stop for Fairview’s deliveries – an authorisation that lasts until June 2025.
“How can the council and Fairview do this to us? They are allowed to block the road and use a hydraulic crane to unload lorries while we get a parking ticket for delivering supplies to the pub,” said Nina.
Ricardo suggested the Barnet Society speak to the site manager Sam. He insisted that Fairview was keeping the pub informed as to was happening.
“We gave them a newsletter last Thursday. If you have any more questions you will have to put them to the project manager. He will be here next week.”
The Builders Arms prides itself on being a popular real ale pub and Nina says the loss of business is so bad it could affect their ability to remain in business.
“We are appealing to everyone to help us find someone who can intervene on our behalf.
“We managed to survive the Covid lockdown, but this is even worse because we never know what is happening.”
Dan Tomlinson, the Chipping Barnet MP, has promised to investigate the pub’s plight.
He told the Barnet Society he hopes to visit the Park Quarter site to see what can be done and if the issues are not resolved, he intends to issue a statement.
Construction work on the development of the two blocks of flats on the Park Quarter site — which has its main frontage onto Victoria Road — began in 2022 with the demolition of the Salvation Army Hall opposite the Builders Arms.
It had been a poignant reminder of the many local connections with the Salvation Army’s founder, General William Booth who lived in Hadley Wood until his death in 1912.
The hall in New Barnet opened in 1886 at the height of the movement’s expansion after William Booth and his wife Catherine established their East London Christian Mission in 1865.
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Why should they care when they don’t even mention our local pubs? Quote from their sales pitch:
Just beyond your door is a choice of independent bars, cafés, restaurants and green spaces to enjoy. Go a little further and you’ll hit on a real North London village feel; the affluent areas of High Barnet, Cockfosters and Whetstone are all close by, with their own unique retail offerings and places to meet and socialise.
As a resident and security guard occupying the flat above the Builders Arms at 3 Albert Road, I have been severely impacted by the ongoing construction work. The vibrations from their heavy machinery have made it impossible to rest, with the entire building shaking. On one occasion, around 8 a.m., the window above me was violently shaken open from the vibrations, nearly causing it to break while I was asleep. The building itself is old, with no insulation and fragile traditional windows, which worsens the issue.
Furthermore, Fairview has repeatedly blocked access to my car, claiming that Albert Road is a private road, preventing me from using my vehicle for weeks at a time, most notably in July and September. This is not just an inconvenience, but a clear disregard for the residents of Albert Road, and it seems like a deliberate attempt to disrupt the pub and its operations.
This situation is intolerable and deeply affects both my ability to live peacefully and the livelihood of the Builders Arms. Immediate action is needed to address these disruptions.
Thank you, Pauline, for your comment. It’s true—things were certainly handled very differently 50 years ago, and we can only imagine the response back then! Sadly, it seems that today, some contractors think they can ignore the idea of compromise and get away with it.
Their disregard for working together with the local community and businesses like The Builders Arms is frustrating. Respect and compromise should be at the heart of any project that affects people’s lives, but it seems to be a foreign concept to some companies.
Let’s hope we can encourage them to rethink their approach and start showing the respect and consideration our community deserves.
Thank you, Colin, for raising these important concerns. It’s clear that Fairview Homes’ actions are causing serious disruption, not only to The Builders Arms but also to the safety and well-being of local residents and visitors. Leaving the road full of mud and unsafe to walk on is unacceptable, and the disregard for working hours and the community’s needs only adds to the frustration.
It’s disappointing to see Fairview Homes prioritizing their own interests without consideration for those who live, work, and socialize in the area. These kinds of practices are not just inconsiderate—they’re dangerous and show a lack of responsibility.
Your points highlight the broader impact on the communitiy.We all deserve a clean, safe environment and a fair process, and it’s time that Fairview starts respecting that.
Thank you, Andrea, for your heartfelt comment. You’ve touched on a crucial issue that resonates with many of us—small businesses like The Builders Arms being sidelined by larger corporations with little regard for the local community. It’s unfortunate that Fairview Homes hasn’t shown more responsibility in this matter, especially considering how their actions are impacting not only the business owners but also local patrons who value these establishments.
As you’ve rightly pointed out, pubs have been a cornerstone of our community for generations, and each closure takes away more than just a place to drink; it strips away a part of our heritage and social fabric. We absolutely need stronger support from our local council and central government to ensure these cherished places aren’t forced out by corporate interests. Compensation for lost income, as you suggested, would be the least Fairview Homes could offer in good faith.
Hopefully, bringing this issue to the attention of the national media will prompt more awareness and action. Thank you again for standing up for local businesses and highlighting this critical matter.
It seems to me that this is a case of a multi-billion corporation bullying a small business. Fairview Homes will not suffer as a result of their blatant disregard for people who have invested time and money into running The Builders Arms. Fairview Homes clearly do not care that hardworking people who only want a level playing field, face going out of business. This is disgusting and the very minimum that Fairview Homes should do is provide compensation for those 6 hours a day of lost income.
From a pub goer’s point of view, I have to add that we have lost enough pubs in recent years. It’s time our community, council and politicians in central government stand up for hospitality. I hope this situation comes to the attention of the national media.
They leave the road full of mud and dangerous to walk on, they work illegal hours including Sundays, have no consideration for pub Customers and people who live in already built flats next to the Builders Arms, Fairview have always been a Company that put themselves FIRST
Can you imagine what would have happened 50 years ago?!
They’d have come to work on a Monday morning to a pile of rubble…
Compromise doesn’t seem to be a word these contractors understand…