Pub Heritage Bulletin 237 Nov 2022

East Yorkshire, STATION BUFFET, Bridlington. Dave Gamston reports : A listed building application has finally been submitted, by Brass Castle Brewery, for a freshening overhaul of this national treasure and its remarkably-unaltered 1925 interior. The proposals include certain structural changes – most notably the formation of two new wall openings, one at 1.6m wide – to what is now the last licensed refreshment rooms on the main UK rail network to have survived so intact since before the Second World War. News of the application has been late to reach PHG (especially disappointing when we have played such an active, constructive part in helping ‘save’ this establishment and in bringing the present parties together) and a closing date of 8 December for public objections leaves us little time to formulate fully considered comments. But this will be done. We will commend what is good (not least the great care being shown towards all the historic fittings) and will certainly be including a request for a rethink in relation to the new wall openings.
To see the application go to: East Riding Council. Reference is 22/03144/PLB. The Design Statement document provides a comprehensive overview of the proposals. View the Pub

Essex, VIPER, Mill Green. Good news that classic rural pub the Viper is now open again. It closed in 2019 and was left in a dilapidated state. New owner Rupert Cherryman has undertaken a comprehensive refurbishment, stating at the time that he would respect the historic interior. The pub was listed grade II in 2019, following recommendation by the Pub Heritage Group. The pub room of most interest here is the tap room and photos we have seen indicate that Rupert has indeed done a very nice job. Thanks to Tim Havill for the update, although not having visited yet, Tim comments: ‘The pictures do indeed show that the new owner Rupert has done a professional job of the refurbishment without destroying the fabric of the building. The floor plan of the rooms pre-refurbishment has been retained plus an additional seating room has been added where the former ladies toilets were. It is also good to see that the pitch penny hole and associated drawer in the tap room bench has been retained as have all the bar counters.’
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Greater London South East, FELLOWSHIP INN, Catford. Neil Pettigrew reports the good news that the Fellowship Inn has re-opened:’The Fellowship Inn re-opened in September 2022 after a long period of closure following the withdrawal of the previous operators, Electric Star. The pub is now in safe hands being run by Homegrown Pubs, the same company that run the Carlton Tavern in Maida Vale. It is a pleasure to sit in its wood panelled rooms and admire various period features, including the island servery and its small publican’s office. Not only that but the pub also serves three interesting local real ales and keep them in excellent condition.’ Originally built in 1923-24 as part of the Bellingham Estate, is one of London’s largest pubs, and comes complete with a cafe and cinema on the lower ground floor. The Pub Heritage Group successfully applied for listing when it was under threat of demolition in 2011. Neil continues: ‘ It’s a pub that all of us in CAMRA should feel proud to have played a part in saving. Do please try to pay it a visit and support it.’ More news on the re-opening can be found here: London News Online.
View the Pub

East Yorkshire, OLDE WHITE HARTE, Hull. Some good news here. It seems that the pressure exerted by Pub Heritage Group on Hull City Council has paid off (see last month’s bulletin). Star Pubs and Bars are now stating their intent to reinstate the bar that was illegally removed. See: Yorkshire Post. The retrospective listed building application (which still includes the removal of the bar) remains as a live application on the Council website at the time of publication. CAMRA has asked that the Council declare this invalid and require submission of a new application showing details of the reinstatement – we can then (hopefully) satisfy ourselves that the work will be to the necessary standard.
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West Midlands, WHITE SWAN, Birmingham. Sadly landlord Nigel Barker has indeed quit the White Swan. We reported last month that this was his likely intention due to the cost of living crisis and disruption due to the tram upgrade in Birmingham making the business unviable. Rumour is that the pub is due to reopen soon with a new tenant. Thanks to Nick Yarwood for the news.
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Mid-Wales, CROWN & ANCHOR, Llanidloes. Financial pressures due to the current cost of living crisis have also forced the Crown and Anchor to close. See: Powys County Times. Licensees John Fitzpatrick and Jayne Hexley who have run the pub for five years, promoted the live music offering which has recently brought them into conflict with some residents in the town. See: Powys County Times. This may have contributed to their decision. The pub is still owned by long term licensee Ruby Holmes, lets hope a new tenant is found soon.
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Gloucestershire & Bristol, KINGS HEAD, Bristol. As reported last month The Kings Head has now re-opened, having been shut since March 2020 . See: Bristol 24/7. The new owners Good Chemistry Brewing have undertaken a very sensitive refurbishment, and it looks fantastic. Good to see it busy once again.
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Herefordshire, SUN INN, Leintwardine. Mark Haslam reports that John Hilton (who also runs the Sun Inn at Clun) has taken on the tenancy of the legendary parlour pub. The historic front rooms have been redecorated, which was necessary due to damp ingress, and we are assured that this has been done very much in keeping. Good news also is that John intends to re-instate a dispensing hand pump into the front left room - Flossie’s Parlour. Currently all beer is served at the new bar to the rear of the property.
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Herefordshire, YEW TREE, Colwall. Mark Haslem also reports that the Yew Tree, which has been closed for a number of years, has been bought and renovated by new owners, with the hope of re-opening by Christmas. Welcome news, but sadly the pub was previously stripped out so consequently has been removed from the inventory.
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West Midlands, FALCON, Willenhall. We reported on the closure of the Falcon in May with the owner having to go into a care home. The pub, which was built in 1936, is now for sale and details can be found here: Morning Advertiser. We understand that the family are keen that it continues as a pub.
View the Pub

Finally, if you are struggling to find that perfect gift on the run up to Christmas, a reminder of the many excellent Real Heritage Pub guides that are available on the CAMRA website here: CAMRA Books. No Black Friday offers, but just all year-round good value with the usual CAMRA member discounts available!

We have also been recommended another book: ‘Great Pubs of England’ by Horst A Friedrichs and Stuart Husband which was published last month. See: Prestel Publishing. The previous book in the series ‘Great Pubs of London’ was beautifully produced and included many inventory pubs.

If you have any news on our Heritage Pubs please send updates to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk .

Please feel free to forward this bulletin to your friends who are also interested in visiting pubs like these - if they wish to receive future bulletins direct all they have to do is 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.

Tom Chapman