Mitch and staff key to local's success

I AM writing to express my concern and dismay at the thought of Mitch being evicted from The White Bear pub.

This cannot happen.

I am 19 and was born and raised down the road from the pub, so it has always been the local for me and my family.

Mitch is one of the friendliest landlords you could ever meet, and he is well liked and respected throughout Ruislip and surrounding areas.

People choose to drink there because of him and the friendly staff he has chosen to employ.

Everyone knows each other, and if they don't they soon will.

Entering The White Bear is like becoming part of a family, and it definitely brings people in the community together, whether it be old Ray, who never misses a Sunday karaoke session, or new mum Lauren Ambrose (barmaid). We all mingle together and miss Mitch when he is not there.

True, the pub has suffered a loss in clientèle over the past few years, but I strongly agree with Mitch that this is since the revamp which was forced upon him.

Enterprise tried to make it mimic a wine bar, which, let's face it, The White Bear is not.

It is an old, local pub, which used to be cosy, with booths and a traditional feel, but Enterprise Inns stripped the place of its character.

Mitch has put his heart and soul into keeping this pub alive, and I think it's disgusting that he is possibly to be evicted, instead of praised.

So many pubs have been forced to close since the smoking ban took its toll, and it's a wonder how Mitch has managed to keep our local going, especially with the revamp giving off a confusing first impression.

Without Mitch it would fail to survive as a business, and I along with plenty of others would certainly not drink there any more.

I really hope this isn't the end for Mitch and his tenancy at The White Bear. Apart from us losing our favourite landlord and local, he and his pregnant partner would lose their home and have to live separately, instead of continuing to run the business and prepare to bring their first child into the world.

We're all behind you Mitch!

AMBA GOCKELEN-MACDOUGALL Via email