BREAKING: Bombshell news for Park Lane Stables

By The Editor

27th May 2021 | Local News

2.20pm: Comedian and actor Rob Brydon has given his reaction to the news.

Brydon helped raise the profile of the stables during their fundraising campaign earlier this year by appearing Good Morning Britain to raise awareness of the stables' work.

He posted his reaction to the news to his 2.1 million followers on Twitter: "Shocked to hear this news, surely this can't happen?"

12.50pm: At least four people have stopped by at Park Lane Stables this morning to express their support for the stables.

Owner Natalie O'Rourke said: "The amount of support we've been getting is phenomenal.

"Although there isn't anything we can do it's really great to have so much support here, it helps us be resilient."

10:45am Local resident and veteran broadcaster Nick Luck has been to visit the stables this morning.

Luck interviewed owner Natalie O'Rourke, who explained why Charity Commission rules have made it impossible to meet the Landlord's price despite having raised the money through donations earlier this year.

You can watch a snippet of the interview HERE or listen to his podcast for the full interview.

08:10am Munira Wilson has pledged her support for the stables.

She released the following statement: "It is with great sadness that I hear the news today of the eviction of Park Lane Stables.

"I know from talking to local residents how cherished the stables are by the community in Teddington, Twickenham and far beyond.

You can read the full statement from Munira here.

07:50am: Read the full statement from Park Lane Stables here.

"The charity Park Lane Stables RDA confirms that, with great regret, it is looking for an alternative location for its operations, after its landlords served a notice of eviction for the end of May 2021 when the current lease expires."

You can read the full statement from Park Lane Stables here.

7.30am

Park Lane Stables in Teddington, which launched a successful Save Our Stables campaign, raised over £1.3m, and won support from The Queen, claims today it is being forced to leave its home after the landlord refused to accept its offer to purchase the stables, Nub News can sensationally reveal today.

Distraught owner Natalie O'Rourke will now move to Manor Farm in Petersham with her staff and the horses on a temporary basis from next Tuesday, June 1.

She told Nub News exclusively: "I am personally devastated and heartbroken that after all our hard work that things have come to this.

"We have no option, as a charity we simply cannot over pay like this.

"My priority remains doing what we do for the people that need us most. I have to remain strong for the vulnerable people around me and I will continue to give my all to them."

The shocking news comes after the landlords and their solicitors served a notice of eviction for the end of this month, when the current lease expires. A request for a lease extension had been rejected.

Nub News understands that the charity Stables offered £840.000 after independent valuations, but the landlords are demanding £1.35m and claim they have a rival offer at the full asking price.

The developments will be a bombshell to the local community which rallied together to help raise the money with nearly 32.000 donations from all over the world.

The campaign attracted international headlines as well as massive coverage on the BBC, SKY, ITV and Countryfile.

However, late last night in a dramatic development and following enquiries by Nub News and the BBC, the landlords appeared to be softening in their hard line approach and offered a lease extension "until a resolution is reached."

A spokesperson for the landlords said they had been in touch with solicitors for the stables and issued a short statement to Nub News after being approached for a reaction to the shock announcement by the Stables.

The letter said: "I write further to my earlier e-mail today. Having sought further instructions from my client, I am instructed that they are willing to consider terms of a short term extension of your client's occupational rights.

"Please would you let me have your comments on my letter of 24 May 2021 and contact me tomorrow to discuss matters."

A spokesperson for the owners told Nub News exclusively: "We are acutely aware of the importance of the service provided by Park Lane stables and the benefit of that work to the community.

"While we regret the personal circumstances that have forced us to seek new ownership for the stables, we will continue to work to seek an acceptable resolution for all parties involved, and remain committed to supporting the continued services on site whilst the situation is ongoing."

The spokesperson for the landlords also provided the following background:

- The current lease ends on 31 May 2021; the owner has expressed a willingness to extend this to allow continued operation of the Stables until a resolution is reached.

- Recognising that it is usual market practice for any transaction to secure an appropriate market valuation before making a reasonable offer, that advice sought and the advice given was that the suggested price should be £1.35m.

- The valuation was provided by a well-known, independent and reputable market leader in surveying services. This valuation was met by a third party offer and validating the valuer's understanding of what the market is willing to pay for the property.

Local celebrities including Clare Balding, Rob Brydon, Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, and Rory Bremner also offered their support and The Queen was so touched by the campaign her office invited the staff and riders from Park Lane to visit the stables at The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.

In a statement, first released to Nub News, the Stables claimed the charity was being "forced to leave its home after landlords make its position untenable."

It added: "The charity Park Lane Stables RDA confirms that, with great regret, it is looking for an alternative location for its operations, after its landlords served a notice of eviction for the end of May 2021 when the current lease expires.

"This has followed a period of discussions which resulted in the charity being asked to pay far in excess of what the property is actually worth according to three independent valuations.

"PLS couldn't legally overpay to such an extent even if they wanted to and therefore are left with no alternative but to find a new location and are committed to doing so. Meanwhile from June 1st they will move to Manor Farm Stables in Ham on a temporary basis.

"PLS is following clear Charity Commission guidelines that say the trustees are responsible for protecting a charity's money and assets and that the price paid for property should be fair or even discounted which is simply not the case here."

In correspondence on May 10 from the solicitors acting for the landlords, they state it is their 'client's preference' to sellto the charity but says an offer from a 'third party' meets the asking price of £1.35m.

The letter states: "As a consequence of this offer having been made, the price at which our client is prepared to sell to the Charity is fixed at £1.35m. We understand that the Charity has raised sufficient funds to meet this price.

"As there is no indication that the Charity will make an offer commensurate with the third party offer our client has received it unfortunately appears that the sale to the charity will not proceed.

"Our client regrets that this is the case. However, in light of the position as it currently stands it will be important for the parties to take steps to ensure that the possession of the Property is now delivered back to our client by 31 May 2021 in accordance with the Lease."

In a separate letter, the solicitors write: "The Charity's offer to purchase the Property at a price of £840.000 is rejected."

It adds: "Both I and the freeholder are naturally therefore surprised and disappointed at the offer the Charity has made which is £510.000 less than the price at which the Freeholder is prepared to sell.

"The offer is particularly surprising given that I understand the Charity has raised funds in excess of the proposed purchase price and is therefore on a position to make an offer which the Freeholder will accept. So that there is no misunderstanding, the Freeholder's preference is to sell to the charity."

Highly-respected racing broadcaster Nick Luck, who lives locally and has actively supported the campaign to save the stables since the beginning, told Nub News: "After such a brilliant and inspiring fundraising effort, it is utterly heartbreaking to see Natalie and her beloved horses and ponies leave Park Lane Stables today.

"While everyone who has donated should be assured that they have secured the short-term future of the charity, these stables mean everything to Natalie, the Teddington community and – most importantly – the thousands of families from every London borough and every walk of life for whom Park Lane has been such a lifeline.

"I would implore the landlords and their advisers to consider their options very carefully."

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