The Naturalist pub closed recently. The actual closure came quickly, though it had been preceded by a long period of uncertainty during which the pub remained open. Many of you will have noticed the shuttered windows and the quiet forecourt, and wondered what happens next. So have we.
WDCO has been working to find out.
What we know
The Naturalist was part of the vision for Woodberry Down as a place where people want to live — somewhere with the amenities that make a neighbourhood feel like a community. Opened as part of Phase Two of the development, it was operated by Young’s, one of London’s more respected pub companies.
But it never quite found its footing. Young’s are candid about this: the pub was losing money, and it had become less costly to close it than to keep it running. They tried various approaches over the years. We, as a community, made some efforts too — including a well-attended event at the pub about a year ago. Ultimately, however, footfall never reached the level needed to sustain the business.
The site remains on the market. A potential buyer emerged but the transaction has not completed. Young’s are not especially optimistic, and they continue to look for a buyer — either another operator or a different use altogether. A nursery has been mentioned as one possibility, and it is worth noting that childcare provision is genuinely scarce on the estate. Any change of use would require planning permission from the London Borough of Hackney.
In the meantime, Young’s are maintaining the property — fire alarm checks happen weekly — and they are keeping an eye on its appearance. We have raised with them the condition of the outdoor planters, which will need either proper maintenance or removal before they become an eyesore.
What WDCO is doing
In February, Hilary Britton and I met with Stuart Gallyot, Property Director at Young’s, and his colleague Michelle Atkins, who manages the site. It was a frank and constructive conversation. Stuart and Michelle understand that two empty ground-floor units in close proximity are not a good look for the estate, and they share our interest in finding a resolution.
Stuart has agreed to maintain regular contact with WDCO — whether that is every couple of months or as events require. We have a point of contact, and we intend to use it.
What we are not doing
We are not raising community expectations of any particular outcome. We do not know whether The Naturalist will reopen as a pub, become a nursery, or find some other use. What we do know is that an empty building managed at arm’s length by a company based elsewhere is not the same as an empty building where the community has an open line of communication with the decision-makers.
We think maintaining that dialogue matters. And if you have ideas to put into that conversation, we want to hear from you
Get in touch
If you would like to be kept informed, or would like to be part of a Naturalist Action Group, please contact Adrian Essex, Chair of WDCO, at omotng@gmail.com or via the Woodberry Down Community General Chat WhatsApp group.
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