The Brendan The Navigator pub in Highgate [John Hartley]

AN Irish pub has re-opened under new management, just a month after its closure shocked regulars.

The Brendan the Navigator in Archway closed in June with its former tenants saying they had been “squeezed out”. The pub’s management had said it would close permanently, citing a dispute with the building’s landlord regarding repairs and “long outstanding issues”.

The freeholders AJR Leisure, has claimed there had been “breaches” of the lease and that it had tried to support its tenants.

The two parties have given contrasting opinions A large banner appeared outside the property late last month, saying “opening July 6”.

In response, a social media account run by the former operators, said: “We are well aware that someone has announced that the pub is reopening on Monday. “On the basis of ongoing legal advice, we can only say, for now, that we are not reopening on Monday. To avoid anyone getting the wrong impression, we wish to be very clear that it is not us who are proposing to do this.”

The pub did reopen with the same name on July 6 under new operators, the Conexus Pub Group.

Olivia Isbitt, who works for Conexus and is also the daughter of the group’s owner, said her family had no part in the abrupt departure of the previous publicans. “We were approached by the landlord when the pub was already shut,” she said.

She explained another of her properties had the same landlord, adding: “So when the opportunity arose to come and take over this pub, we jumped at it. “This pub is under my name. I will pop in every week to meet with management… I just want to put a great team in place and hope that people are happy with that. This isn’t a site we’re trying to come in and make change… I walked into a closed pub. It hurts personally seeing a pub shut so we all worked to get it open as quickly as possible.”

Ms Isbitt said she is committed to retaining the Navigator’s Irish legacy, adding: “My family are Irish, we want everyone to know that we’re focused on bringing the community back into the pub. “We’re happy to continue the traditional Irish dance and music. As well as listening to our patrons about what they wish to see, on both sides of the bar.

“The quiz will continue and run every other Monday, as well as live music every other Saturday. We’re also introducing the Irish spice bag, an Irish fast food favourite, as well as a roast menu when the kitchen reopens.”

Ms Isbitt insisted this was not a corporate take over, despite her family owning more than 30 different pubs. She said: “We will continue to run it as a community pub – all our pubs are run independently, every pub has a different team and we have very close relationships with our managers.”

AJR Leisure, the freeholder, said in a statement: ”We are pleased that an experienced independent operator has now taken over the premises under a new lease. “Their focus is to preserve the pub’s long-standing tradition, support the local community, and ensure it continues to thrive as a welcoming venue for local residents for many years to come.”