Regulars fight plans to turn 250-year-old pub into synagogue

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The Swan, on Clapton Common, has been part of life in Stamford Hill since the 18th century and is facing closure after a local Jewish group offered to buy it for £1 million.

The group, from the orthodox Bobov community, plans to turn the historic building into a synagogue and meeting rooms for 150 people.

But locals are angry that neither they nor the landlady were told about the purchase and say the few pubs remaining in the area must be saved.

Sasha Johnson, co-founder of the Save The Swan campaign, said: "The Swan is a vital part of the community for many. It's where they meet, where they celebrate births and marriages, or just relax.

"Everyone is welcome and among the regular clients are members of all the different communities - white, black, straight, gay, born Londoners and new arrivals. It's also home to the Hackney Rugby Club.

"In short, it's a proper London pub, serving the people on its doorstep and that's more important than just about anything else."

There are already about 50 synagogues in Stamford Hill, including the Grade II-listed new synagogue in Egerton Road.

Campaigners insist they are not attacking the Jewish community but simply want to keep their pub. Miss Johnson added: "There's been no consultation. Understandably people feel angry and ignored."

The capital's drinking spots are already under threat from developers and the credit crunch as well as the effects of the smoking ban and cutprice alcohol in supermarkets.

More than 100 regulars attended a meeting in The Swan last week. Ellen McLean, the landlady for seven years, said: "People are aggravated. It's hard for some, especially the elderly customers who have been coming here for years. It's all very sad."

The pub's owners, Punch Taverns, who run more than 8,000 other establishments, confirmed they had received an offer to buy The Swan.

"No deal has been completed, and we are listening to the concerns regarding the closure of the pub," a spokesman said.

Solomon Goldman, from the Bobov community, said: "We are willing to negotiate."