CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the country. For further news, see the Pub Heritage webpage here.
Three Star Heritage Pubs
Duke William, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
The Duke William (above) closed in August, having only been reopened in July, with the intention of being converted to flats. Originally built in 1815, the Duke William has a largely intact 1930s interior. The pub is Grade II listed, but this news is very concerning, and the Pub Heritage Group would welcome any further updates. More information about the closure can be found on the StokeonTrentLive website here.
Eastbrook, Dagenham, Greater London East (above)
A planning application to convert the upper floors of the Grade II* Eastbrook to a hotel has been approved. This will include the repurposing of the ground floor neo-Tudor Oak Room into a reception area. The Pub Heritage Group objected to the application in February. The pub remains open with the works due to start in “two or so years” time according to a social media post from the pub wanting to allay fears of closure. The Eastbrook is one of the best preserved 1930s pubs in London and is worth visiting to view the spectacular Walnut Room and Oak Room.
Crown & Anchor, Llanidloes, Mid Wales (above)
The Pub Heritage Group last reported on this unspoilt town pub, which closed in October 2022, in January when moves were afoot to initiate a community buyout. A Community Benefit Society is being set up and is in the process of organising a share offer. Shares are to be offered at a minimum purchase price of £25. Keep up to date with the campaign by visiting the Crown and Anchor Restoration Project Facebook page here.
Douglas Arms Hotel, Bethesda, North West Wales (above)
Originally built as a coaching inn around 1820, the Douglas Arms has been in the Davies family since 1913, with little change since the 1930s. The Pub Heritage Group reported the pub closed and was put up for sale in April 2022. Sadly, it is still up for sale with an asking price of £475,000. The local community reportedly investigated a potential purchase of the pub, but nothing came of this. The Pub Heritage Group understands the family still wish to sell the Douglas Arms as a pub, so it is hoped a suitable buyer comes forward soon. More information about the potential sale can be found on the Rightmove website here.
Two Star Heritage Pubs
Polar Bear, Hull, East Yorkshire (above)
The Pub Heritage Group reported on the Polar Bear in August 2023 when owners Polar Bear Music Club had made unauthorised changes to the Grade II-listed pub including crude and unsympathetic alterations to the back bar – one of only 14 surviving ceramic counters in the UK. The owner was ordered to reinstate the back bar and address other unauthorised changes but has submitted a listed building consent application to gain approval for the back bar and external signage alterations. Thankfully, Hull City Council conservation officer Stephen Walker continues to object to the works, remaining insistent that the various unauthorised works to the interior and exterior are addressed and remedied. Hull and East Yorkshire CAMRA has lodged an objection to the application, supporting the conservation officer’s position. Read the conservation officer’s report (with photographs) on the Hull City Council website, under “conservation comments”, here.
Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria (above)
In February 2023 the Pub Heritage Group reported that drinks were no longer being served from the public bar of the Pheasant Hotel, considered the finest interwar hotel bar in England. The bar is now manned at all times, but the original triple handpump cabinet which was located to the back of the bar has been removed and replaced with a bottle fridge. Handpumps have now been installed on the bar counter.
Falcon, Willenhall, West Midlands
Following a devastating fire that gutted the interior and subsequent planning approval to turn it into a House of Multiple Occupancy, the Falcon was put up for sale by auction in September and has been sold. The Falcon has been removed from the inventory.
One Star Heritage Pubs
Castle Inn, Chiddingstone, Kent (above)
The Castle Inn, located in a building probably dating to the 16th century, retains a very traditional small public bar and is in the picturesque village of Chiddingstone, which was bought by the National Trust in 1939. The Castle closed suddenly in June after a cavity was discovered underneath the pub. Works are ongoing to make this structurally safe and the Pub Heritage Group will provide an update when it reopens.
Royds Arms, Rochdale, Greater Manchester (above)
The Royds Arms has been closed for more than a year, and now planning application has been submitted to convert it into apartments. Rochdale, Oldham & Bury CAMRA is looking into the application. More information can be found on the Rochdale Online website here.
Kings Arms, Hanwell, Greater London West
The Pub Heritage Group reported on the closure of the Kings Arms in the February bulletin. It has now reopened as a restaurant and bar. Many internal alterations have taken place, including the removal of both the original bar counters and the bar back. Consequently, the pub has now been removed from the inventory.
Bell, Bloxwich, West Midlands
This early 20th-century corner-site pub is reported as long-term closed. The Pub Heritage Group would welcome any update on the pub.
Other news
CAMRA Heritage Award
Time is running out to nominate a pub for the inaugural Heritage Award before the 12 November closing date. The Heritage Award celebrates the successful revitalisation of a heritage pub that is included on the National Inventory at Three, Two or One Star. More information can be found on the CAMRA website here.
If you have any news for CAMRA’s Heritage Pubs team, send to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk. If you wish to receive the bulletins directly, sign up by sending an email to bulletin@pubheritage.camra.org.uk with the word “subscribe” as the subject or “unsubscribe” if you wish to stop receiving bulletins.
Photos by Michael Slaughter and Michael Schouten
