CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the UK. For further news, see the Pub Heritage Group webpage here.
Three Star Heritage Pubs
Anchor, Birmingham, West Midlands
Following the closure of the Anchor (above) last month, the Pub Heritage Group can report it is to reopen in August. Peter Connolly, who runs nearby bar and music venue Norton’s, has taken on the lease with a commitment to "restore the city gem to its former glory". Find more information about the reopening on the Midlands What’s On website here.
Vine, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (above)
The Vine is an extremely rare example of an intact, small Victorian back-street local. After being closed for four years, the Vine reopened in late June, and it appears there have been no changes to the pub’s historical features. Self-confessed “real ale fanatic” Steve Burke along with three business partners bought the pub when it was auctioned in November last year. Find more information about the pub reopening on the Stoke Sentinel website here.
Mountain Daisy, Sunderland Tyne and Wear (above)
As anticipated in last month’s bulletin the Mountain Daisy has now reopened. The new owners are primarily serving Asian cuisine, but it is still very much open as a pub for casual drinkers. At the time of writing, however, it has no cask beer.
Bell, Walton-on-the Hill, Surrey (above)
Following the granting of planning permission to convert this unique pub to residential use, as covered in last month’s bulletin, the Pub Heritage Group has submitted a listing application to Historic England. If successful, any future alterations would require listed building consent.
Bulls Head, Telford, Staffordshire (above)
The Bulls Head is currently closed until a new tenant is found and is available to lease from Inglenook Inns. The Pub Heritage Group reported on the ongoing refurbishment works in April when the pub was still open. Find more information about the lease on the Inglenook Inns website here.
Red Lion, Rugeley, Staffordshire (above)
The Red Lion has reopened following a refurbishment which included the removal of asbestos as reported in last month’s bulletin. Thankfully no harm has come to the historical interior apart from repainting and some new furniture.
Waterloo, Smethwick, West Midlands (above)
The Grade II*-listed Waterloo, built in 1907 as a flagship pub for brewer Mitchell and Butlers, has now been closed since 2011. Following a recent visit by Sandwell Council’s planning enforcement and conservation officers, a fresh Section 215 notice is being issued to the owner to maintain the building. The Pub Heritage Group reported on this in December 2023 when the original Section 215 notice had been issued. The owner at the time agreed to comply and also stated that a new tenant was taking on the lease for restaurant use. It was listed with agent Mason Young on its website, but nothing has materialised. The pub has been included on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register since 2012. The ground floor and basement, which houses the spectacular Grill Room, are in a deplorable state. The Pub Heritage Group hopes some meaningful action to restore this spectacular historic building will happen soon. Find more information about the Heritage at Risk register on the Historic England website here.
One Star Heritage Pubs
Crown, Stockport, Greater Manchester (above)
The Crown is closed temporarily for refurbishment and will reopen in late August. The pub is being taken on by the owner of the multi-award-winning Petersgate Tap in Stockport. The team behind this popular micropub has won Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA’s Pub of the Year in 2023, as well as being awarded the branch Cider Pub of the Year title for the last six years. Find more information about the Crown’s reopening on the Manchester Evening News website here.
Cuckoo Bush Inn, Gotham, Nottinghamshire (above)
The Cuckoo Bush Inn has reopened following a major refurbishment by owner Star Pubs and Bars. The Pub Heritage Group would welcome any news about the pub’s historical features and if they have survived the renovation untouched, particularly its snug with fixed seating.
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New Inn, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex (above)
This handsome 18th-century pub overlooking the green in the village of Sidley has reopened following a fire that damaged the kitchen and upper floor in November. A listed building application has been lodged which is restricted to repairing those areas affected by the fire. The pub has undergone a significant refurbishment, so the Pub Heritage Group will reassess the New Inn’s status on the National Inventory.
Highland Laddie, Leeds, West Yorkshire (above)
The new owner has put a fine dining spin on the recently reopened Highland Laddie, gaining impressive reviews in the process, yet the traditional pub experience has been retained with three locally sourced cask beers at the bar. Read food critic Jimi Famurewa’s review in the Observer here.
If you have any news for CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group, send to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk
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Photos by Michael Slaughter, Micheal Schouten and Michael Croxford
