'Treated like an animal' - landlord forced out by racist thugs

19 February 2010

The Duckwood Inn

A BLACK landlord claims he was hounded out of his Harold Hill pub by racists.

Cordell Duncombe, has run the Duckwood pub, in Whitchurch Road, for four years but says, he was forced out after an escalation in aggression towards him and his mainly black staff.

Mr Duncombe - known as Gus to locals - claims he has put up with racist chants and vandalism over the years.

But he was forced to call time on the pub after a series of shocking incidents which he says culminated in thugs defecating on the pub floor.

He said: "I was called a black bastard, and they used the N-word. I am a strong man and I put up with it, but then they started boycotting the pub, and smashing windows with bottles, so I couldn't go on.

"When I heard something racist I would bar someone, and it would be for life, and they didn't like that."

Mr Duncombe, who has worked in the pub industry for more than 30 years, has moved out of the borough completely and has vowed never to return.

Mr Duncombe said: "I've worked in pubs in London, Brixton and Hackney, but nothing has been as bad as this place!"

A regular at the pub who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said: "No other landlord would have been treated the way Gus was. They treated him like an animal."

He added: "I heard racist comments, but Gus wouldn't put up with it."

Mr Duncombe, who had a 25 year lease on the pub is now looking for a buyer, but fears the damage may put off potential interest.