Pub Heritage Bulletin 228 Jan 2022

East Yorkshire, POLAR BEAR, Hull. The Polar Bear, included in the National Inventory for its magnificent curved ceramic bar counter, is now operating as a music venue called The Polar Bear Music Club, as reported in our bulletin of August 2020. It currently opens at a few nights a week, and only the Tuesday night session has free entry usually from 8.30pm. For events check on their facebook page: Polar Bear Music Club Facebook. And we recommend ringing them before making a visit (07947 129014). Currently the owners do not think that re-opening as a traditional pub is viable, but they still have an intention to expand hours to daytime opening in the future. Dave Gamston and Stuart Mumby met with the owners in December, to assess the interior and discuss future plans. Due to The Polar Bear not actually operating as a pub, coupled with recent unsympathetic alterations, its place on the National Inventory is to be reviewed.
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Kent, BROWN JUG, Broadstairs We reported on the listing of the Brown Jug (Regional Inventory) in February 2021 and attempts to sell by owners Thorley Taverns. Now the Brown Jug has a new owner - none other than local celebrity artist, Tracey Emin, who has been buying properties in the Margate area: Isle of Thanet News . Sadly it is reported in the Times of 12th January that she is not intending to restore it as a pub. So no doubt a planning application for change of use will follow in due course.
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Staffordshire, LEOPARD, Stoke-On-Trent. We report the terrible news that a devastating fire tore through the Leopard (Regional Inventory) on Saturday 22nd January. It has been reported that the fire was a deliberate arson attack and three men were arrested at the scene, this was following the discovery by police of a cannabis growing operation a few days before. It is assumed at this stage that all historic pub features have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair. The pub had remained empty for a year following the purchase by Daneets Developments. The tragedy has led to the formation of a conservation trust to ensure better protection of the towns heritage assets in the future: Stoke Sentinel . Thanks to James Young and Annette Cartlidge for the news.
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Greater London North West, LORD SOUTHAMPTON, Kentish Town. Thanks to Clive Roper for passing on news via WhatPub that the Lord Southampton (Regional Inventory) is boarded up and for sale. The freehold of the pub is being marketed by AG&G and they have uploaded a marketing video, covering literally every inch of the building to youtube: You Tube . The upper floors had been run as a hostel until its recent closure. The pub had been run by landlady Martha McGrath with her husband Phil for 43 years until her retirement in 2016. Martha was interviewed by the Kentish Towner in 2015: Kentish Towner
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East Anglia Real Heritage Pubs Mick Slaughter reports that a new guide to the heritage pubs of East Anglia has been given the green light for publication in July. More to follow.