Marston's asked too much says Albion Penarth's landlord

On May 2, Albion custodian Mr Mark Pearson announced he was walking away from the venue after five years.

Now Mr Pearson says owners Marston's were looking to "claw back money" lost from events such as Covid, which would have left him working for next to nothing.

It comes as the brewery goliath expects a new tenant to be in place and The Albion reopened in a month.

‘I can’t work for nothing’

Mr Pearson described how it was a sad day for live music in Penarth and told the stories of how bands were so desperate to play The Albion they would offer discounts.

However, that’s all over, with The Albion’s doors shut, darkness inside and signs put in the window saying closed “until further notice”.

Mr Pearson said he and Marston's were discussing the contract for a period of time, but were a long way off finding agreement over a new lease.

“We just could not come to agreement on the terms,” said Mr Pearson.

“Everything is going up and I could not work for nothing.”

And, in an astonishing line, the former landlord said Marston's were putting him under obligation to do something he felt he could not fulfill.  

“We were trying to sort the contract for months, but they had one view, I had another and my view is totally different to theirs,” said Mr Pearson.

“They are looking at clawing as much money back after things like Covid and I did not feel I was in a position to do that.”

The Albion, on the corner of Glebe Street and Salop Street, closed its doors

Expect to re-open in a month

Marston's say they expect a swift turnaround, with the pub potentially reopening in a matter of weeks.

A spokesperson for the company said: “The current tenant has decided to leave after five years at The Albion.

“We are currently recruiting a new tenant for the pub and expect to be re-open within the month.”

Landlord Mark Pearson said it was a sad day for live music

‘I wish you all good health and happiness, keep supporting Live Music’

Mr Pearson said it was a sad day for live music in Penarth when he announced the closure officially on Facebook on May 2.

When we spoke to him he said he was emotional and was going to take a break to think about what to do next.

“I was very lucky,” said Mr Pearson. “The bands liked coming to gig here. Some of the bands would charge a thousand pounds to gig, but they never charged me anything because they liked Penarth so much.”

“Thank you for all your support. I could not have done it without you.

“I wish you all good health and happiness, keep supporting Live Music.”