The future of a popular pub has been secured after its freeholder revealed it is not up for sale.

Enterprise Inns, who own the freehold of The Wheatsheaf, in Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, have said they no longer intend to sell the pub.

Their leaseholders, Antic Ltd, renamed Gregarious Ltd, were recently in administration, with the pub lease due to expire at the end of the year.

Many suspected the site would become a Tesco, while an online petition calling on the council to take action over its future gained more than 8,300 signatures.

Antic London, parent company of the pub, posted a tweet confirming the owners wanted to sell the pub but said no buyer had been chosen.

But Enterprise Inns have confirmed they have no plans to sell the pub and are in continuing discussions with the parties involved.

An Enterprise spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have no plans to sell The Wheatsheaf public house in Tooting. 

"Our Publican has recently been in administration and the pub lease is due to expire at the end of this year. 

"We are in continuing discussions with the parties involved with a view to reach a mutually acceptable outcome

MP Sadiq Khan, who has been campaigning to save the pub, received the email revealing the plans.

He said: "This is fantastic news.

"I am relieved and pleased that Enterprise Inns, the freehold owners of the much-loved Tooting local, The Wheatsheaf have now provided this written assurance that they have no plans to sell the pub.

"It is so important that successful businesses are supported – especially when they are as popular as The Wheatsheaf.

"It has been great to see how the local community have mobilised and organised to save this community asset.

"Our community campaign will send a loud message to anyone thinking of turning The Wheatsheaf into a shop or supermarket - hands off.

 

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