Toby Carvery Owner Faces Eviction After Ancient Oak Felling Sparks Outrage
The owner of the popular Toby Carvery restaurant chain is facing eviction proceedings after what local authorities have described as a "reckless act" that has angered an entire community. Mitchells & Butlers Retail (M&B), which operates numerous Toby Carvery locations across the country, now confronts the loss of its lease at a site in Enfield following the unauthorised partial felling of a centuries-old oak tree.
Council Takes Action Over "Criminal Damage"
Enfield Council has served a formal section 146 notice on Mitchells & Butlers after discovering that a 500-year-old ancient oak tree in Whitewebbs Park had been partially toppled without permission. The incident, which occurred in November, was only discovered when council workers arrived at the park, leaving local residents devastated by the destruction.
The council is treating the matter as criminal damage and has initiated forfeiture proceedings against the restaurant chain for serious breaches of their lease agreement. Deputy leader Tim Leaver stated that the retail firm had "failed to engage meaningfully" with the council or make appropriate reparations for the damage caused.
Community Outrage Over Irreplaceable Heritage
The ancient Whitewebbs oak, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes oak due to its historical significance, was described by council representatives as an irreplaceable part of Enfield's natural heritage. The tree's partial felling has caused widespread local outrage, with the council stating that the "reckless act" had "angered our entire community."
Mr Leaver emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that the destruction had caused huge damage to the tree and significantly cut its expected lifespan. The council is now demanding that Mitchells & Butlers issue a public apology and provide financial reparations for what they describe as "irreversible damage" to both the tree and the local environment.
Ecological Significance and Financial Demands
According to the Woodland Trust, the ancient oak was estimated to be between 450 and 500 years old, boasting a huge girth and measuring approximately six metres in size. The conservation charity noted that experts consider this tree to be more ecologically significant than the famous Sycamore Gap tree, whose felling caused nationwide outrage in 2023.
The council has stated that it will ask M&B to compensate for the significant costs incurred in dealing with the aftermath of the tree felling. Additionally, the Toby Carvery owners have been urged to pay "life support" costs that would go towards cultivating the tree's remains, as its stump has shown some signs of regrowth despite the severe damage.
Legal Proceedings and Corporate Response
Mitchells & Butlers has declined to comment on the situation, stating only that "there will be no further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings." This lack of engagement has reportedly frustrated council officials, who have emphasised that the people of Enfield deserve accountability for the destruction of their natural heritage.
The eviction proceedings represent a significant escalation in the council's response to what they view as a serious breach of trust and environmental responsibility. The case highlights growing tensions between commercial interests and environmental conservation in urban green spaces across the country.
