Toby Carvery’s parent company, Mitchells & Butlers Retail (M&B), is at risk of being evicted following unauthorized cutting of a nearly 500-year-old oak tree in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield. Enfield Council has issued eviction threats to the restaurant chain after discovering the partial felling of the ancient tree in November, causing significant local outcry.
Describing the incident as criminal damage, the council is initiating eviction proceedings against M&B for breaching the site’s lease. Enfield’s deputy leader, Tim Leaver, expressed disappointment over M&B’s lack of cooperation, stating that the destruction of the heritage oak tree had deeply upset the community.
The ancient oak, known as the Guy Fawkes oak, held great historical and ecological value for Enfield. The council has served a formal notice to M&B for violating the lease terms and has commenced forfeiture proceedings due to the severity of the breach.
Enfield Council is demanding a public apology and financial compensation from M&B for the irreversible harm caused by the tree’s destruction. Additionally, M&B is urged to cover the costs for maintaining the remaining stump, which has shown signs of regrowth.
The Woodland Trust highlighted the significance of the tree, estimating its age between 450 and 500 years with a substantial girth of six meters. The organization emphasized the ecological importance of oaks, supporting a diverse range of species compared to other trees like the Sycamore Gap tree.
M&B declined to provide further comments due to the ongoing legal issues surrounding the incident. The local community and environmental organizations are advocating for accountability and restoration efforts to mitigate the loss of the ancient oak tree.
