Essex pub that displayed golliwog dolls forced to shut after suppliers launched boycott
A pub in Essex has closed its doors just a month after its collection of golly dolls were removed by police
PA
A pub in Essex has closed its doors just a month after its collection of golly dolls were removed by police following a hate crime allegation.
The White Hart Inn, Grays was told by Heineken and Carlsberg to stop serving its lager, while maintenance company Innserve refused to continue working on site.
On Monday night, the pub's leaseholders closed down for business following opposition from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and the suppliers.
The dolls were seized on April 4 before the building was vandalised with white paint and its windows damaged on April 16.
The dolls were seized on April 4 before the building was vandalised with white paint
PA
Camra also revoked the venue from its Good Beer Guide and removed the Pub of the Year awards on display.
Ryley said the collection of around 30 dolls were donated by her late aunt and from customers, and had been in the pub for nearly 10 years.
"If they don't like it, they don't have to come through the door," she told the BBC last month.
A Heineken UK spokesperson said it demanded that the pub stopped serving its beer, and that it would stop supplying materials such as glasses on 20 April.
In a statement, Heineken said: "After being made aware of the abhorrent display feature in the White Hart Inn, we advised the pub owners that we want nothing more to do with them.
"They go against everything we stand for.
"We believe pubs should be places of inclusivity and respect for all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion or gender."
Camra national chairman Nik Antona added: "We believe pubs are for everyone - there is never a place for discrimination."
Camra revoked the pub from its Good Beer Guide and removed the Pub of the Year awards on display
PA
Essex Police plans to speak to Ryley's husband and fellow licensee, Chris Ryley, but does not expect to speak to him until mid-May because he is abroad.
Ryley said they planned to retire to their home in Turkey.
Admiral Taverns, the company which owns the pub building, said: "The licensees have made us aware of their decision to leave the pub.
"We will be looking to reopen the pub under the management of new licensees."
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