A PUB landlord faces eviction after a failed revamp drove customers away, leaving him unable to pay the rent.

Mitchum Hassanali, 32, who runs The White Bear in Ruislip says trade was cut in half at the Ickenham Road pub after its owner, Enterprise Inns, insisted on a redesign two years ago.

Mr Hassanali, who has been landlord for six years, said: "The pub had a traditional English pub décor before, with booths and a lovely brick-fronted bar - it was perfect as it was, but it needed tidying up and a lick of paint.

"Enterprise Inns initially agreed to our suggestions but they changed their mind at the last minute and decided it would be refurbished to match others in a community scheme.

"We have since lost 50 per cent of our trade - customers just didn't like the new layout and some have described it as a doctor's waiting room."

As a result, Mr Hassanali says he is no longer able to pay the £2,000 weekly rent to Enterprise Inns, and that his financial difficulties are compounded by his contract to buy beer from the company.

The landlord - whose partner, Ellanor Hedges, is due to give birth to the couple's first child next Wednesday - also juggles working as a physiotherapist with running an entertainment business, to make ends meet.

He said: "The smoking ban cost us about 20 per cent of our trade but we expected that and managed our budget carefully. I asked Enterprise to remove the purchase order, but they said the community scheme works well everywhere else and have tried to evict me four times, albeit unsuccessfully, for not meeting the terms of my contract.

"They are now trying to evict me for a fifth time and, if a court agrees, I will be forced to live with my dad in Ruislip Manor, while Ellanor and the baby will have to move to Uxbridge with her mum, which is obviously not an ideal situation."

Regular punters have expressed their disgust at Mr Hassanali's plight, and their dislike for the redesign.

William Wallace said: "It's absolutely shocking. This is a proper locals' pub with a good group of people behind the bar and where everyone knows each other.

"If Mitch wasn't here, I definitely wouldn't bother coming as much and I really hope he stays on."

And barman Grant Thurlow said he was concerned he would lose his job.

He said: "Although I am planning a career in the army, I need the money in my back pocket and Mitch is a good friend as well as a boss.

"The place just wouldn't be the same without him."

Enterprise Inns said it would be inappropriate to comment as the matter is subject to court proceedings.

* What do you think? Would you be sorry to see Mitch go? Email Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk.