Forum topic: The Fox - housing development planned

Hopefully we will finally see some long needed investment in the building and its associated business, something which has been lacking for years. With the PG public realm due to be improved with Mini Holland / Cycle Enfield monies, the opportunity for a community-centric, flagship building holding the northern approach to the high street could be wonderful. Locals have said for years how a suitable pub / gastro pub / wine-bar type could work in this area. Combined with a function room for eg cinema, theatre – including the local drama groups, comedy as well as more traditional functions it could be a blinder.

Then again, who would be surprised if a money-centric viewpoint of seeking to maximise housing return from most all of the space, including some of the existing pub / function room, comes forward.

Money business or community business? Let’s see.

The short report that I issued about the Fox three weeks ago attracted an unprecedented number of readers, mostly redirected from our Facebook page. This indicates just how much interest there is locally in the future of this local landmark.

Some readers may have concluded that the building was going to be demolished. At the time all I knew for sure was that the pub would be "rightsized" and that housing would be built. It has now been stated clearly that the building will not be demolished (see the previous item in this forum topic).

Not much sign so far of the promised consultation. It now looks unlikely that the developers will be at the Palmers Green Ward Forum on Thursday (but the future of the Fox will no doubt be on the agenda).

The Fox is important to Palmers Green as an architectural landmark in the town centre and because of the community roles provided by the function room at the back. It is essential that there should continue to be a function room/community room, but it would be great to see the Fox becoming a community hub in its primary role as a pub. The reasons it currently fails to fulfil this function are to do with past history and neglect by previous licenceholders. An injection of money and imagination could transform it into a place that people want to visit for its food, its beers and wines and its atmosphere. It could become as prominent in the social and community life of Palmers Green as it is prominent in the streetscape.