AN ANDOVER publican is set to find herself tossed out of her premises in just two months' time after the pub company which owns her business made a drastic increase in rent

The Queen Charlotte Inn on London Road is operated by Vicki Harber, but falls under the umbrella of the Stonegate pub company (pubco).

Having originally been told that her tenancy would be renewed when it expires in November, Vicki was informed in July of the planned price hike, after she had already invested significantly in her business, including buying new decking.

It will see the annual rent rise by around 70 per cent from £34,000 to £59,000 per year, which the company claims is to cover necessary refurbishments, but would not include the cost of fixings and fittings.

Speaking to the Advertiser, publican Vicki Harber said: “I agree it needs the upgrade and the plans look really nice, but I don’t see why little old me should pay for it when Stonegate has got billions [of pounds] and I haven’t!”

Stonegate has put the Queen Charlotte Inn on the market at the new price. If they don’t get anyone interested, Vicki says they are likely to ask her to stay on with a tenancy-at-will agreement, which means she can be asked to leave anytime.

“They are kind of forcing me to leave, because I cannot live with that uncertainty. We are now having to work on the basis that, unless something drastic happens, we will be homeless on November 28.

“If it was just me, 20 years ago, I probably wouldn’t be half as worried about it, but I have a 16-year-old daughter who has just started college, we have a cat. It’s quite important for us all to be in this area and finding something in Andover isn’t easy.”

Last week, Vicki held an information evening at the pub to explain the situation to customers and members of the community.

“If nothing else, I think the point we have got across is that pubcos are horrible and that I have tried to do everything I can to keep this place, to keep the continuity for the community,” she said.

Vicki said she and her family are “looking at all sorts of the options at the moment”, but are not in a position to share what their plans are yet.

She added that she has now had no choice but to take on a part-time job 25 minutes away at the The Carpenters Arms pub in Burghclere, to ensure she maintains an income when her tenancy ends.

Cllr Iris Andersen, ward councillor alongside Vicki for Andover St Mary’s where The Queen Charlotte is situated, told the Advertiser that The Queen Charlotte is a “lovely local pub where residents get together” and would be greatly missed by the community.

She praised Vicki for all that she has done to make the pub sit at the heart of the community, including hosting meetings and events, organising quiz and music nights, and offering a varied food menu as well as traditional pub drinks.

“Vicki has worked hard, especially when we had the pandemic. It is a very valued community asset and I wouldn’t want to lose that at all.

“As people are trying to get back out and socialise and talk to people, there has to be some consideration for the community and how people feel.”

Vicki is urging members of the community to email MP for Andover, Kit Malthouse, asking him for an urgent review of the pub code, which was introduced to protect people like Vicki.

“It has failed miserably,” she said.

“The best way to help is to ask him to make sure he undertakes a proper review of the code and actually speaks to publicans.

“If I can’t save myself and The Charlotte, then hopefully I can at least improve things for others in the future.”

Stonegate has been contacted by the Advertiser for comment.