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Three Star Heritage Pubs
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West Yorkshire, GARDEN GATE, Leeds. Dave Gamston reports: There is mounting concern for the future of this wonderful Grade II* listed pub, widely acclaimed by many as “the ‘jewel in the crown’ of historic pub architecture in Yorkshire”. It is now reported as being closed to business. Alerts were first sounded last autumn when its deteriorating physical state (including failure to repair damage to some of its precious internal fittings) and the very evident run-down of its trading started to be seriously noticed. Anxieties then deepened when its (once heritage-friendly!) co-owners remained completely silent and unresponsive to concerned approaches made on behalf of ourselves and Leeds Civic Trust. Around Christmas time the overall situation was reported to both Historic England and Leeds City Council for investigation as a possible ‘Heritage at Risk’ case, and feedback from those referrals is still awaited. Leeds Civic Trust, however, is now putting pressure on the Council’s conservation officers for an updating report to the June meeting of its own Heritage Watch Committee.
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West Midlands, WHITE SWAN, Birmingham. We reported in November on the departure of well-respected landlord Nigel Barker from the White Swan. It is reported by Birmingham World that the pub has now re-opened after being purchased by Danny Shepherd - Murphy, who also opened the heavy metal venue the Devil’s Dog in Digbeth. Any further updates welcome.
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Derbyshire, DUKE OF YORK, Elton. We hear from Stewart Marsh the sad news that Mary Elliot, the landlady of this remarkably unspoilt village pub, died last year. However, Mary’s nephew Anthony is still continuing to run the pub. Stewart also reports that new indoor loos have been installed and the old outdoor block demolished to create a courtyard area. The pub is open from 8.30pm until 11pm every night.
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Greater London South East, BLACK BOY, Avery Hill, Sidcup. Following re-assessment, the Black Boy has been upgraded to Three Star. It was built in by Ind Coope in 1961/2 and has remained largely unaltered making it a rare survivor from the post war period. No real ale unfortunately.
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Two Star Heritage Pubs
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West Midlands, FALCON, Willenhall. We reported in November that the Falcon was up for sale. Sadly, the pub has been victim of an arson attack which has destroyed the interior. See: 
Tyne & Wear, WHITE SWAN, Greenside. The White Swan has been upgraded to Two Star in recognition of its little altered traditional Victorian layout of four rooms with many surviving features.
Cumbria, HOWTOWN HOTEL, Howtown. The Howtown Hotel, run by the Baldry family for 120 years, was a delightfully old-fashioned hotel located on the shores of Ullswater. We hear from Hugh Price that it is now trading as a self-catering establishment with no public access. Consequently, it has been removed from the inventory.
Greater London Central, PEASANT, Finsbury. The Peasant (formerly George & Dragon) is currently closed for refurbishment, with no date yet publicised for re-opening. Although opened out the Peasant is included for its Victorian features and still discernible multi-room layout.
Greater London South West, ST STEPHEN’S TAVERN, Westminster. Built in 1875 and located opposite the Palace of Westminster, St Stephen’s Tavern is upgraded to Two Star for the excellent bar fittings in the front bar from 1898.
Greater London North, BEACONSFIELD, Finsbury Park. Upgraded for its surviving 1897 fittings including an island bar counter and the panelled rear room with its excellent display of mirrors.
Greater London North, ROSE & CROWN, Stoke Newington. Upgraded. Designed by architect A.E. Sewell and built in 1930-2 by Trumans it retains practically all of its interwar fittings and upper sections of partitions that originally divided the pub into four rooms and off-sales.
Greater London Central, DOG & DUCK, Soho. Downgraded to Two Star. While it has an impressive display of tiling and an interwar bar counter there are few other historic fittings; and it has lost its partitions.
Greater London East, GEORGE TAVERN, Stepney. Well known as a music and arts venue the George Tavern is upgraded to One Star for its exceptional display of tiled paintings.
Greater London North West, LORD SOUTHAMPTON, Kentish Town. We reported in January last year that the Lord Southampton was closed and for sale. It was advertised for auction on 16th May, reportedly with minimum opening bid set at £1.5 million, advertised with potential for alternative uses. We don’t yet know if it sold or who the new owners may be.
Norfolk, FISHMONGERS TAVERN, Sheringham. Re-built in 1931 in tudor-style and formerly the Dunstable Arms, the newly rebranded Fishmongers Tavern is now open. It appears to be primarily functioning as a restaurant, but we understand there is a separate bar area and it sells real ale.
Somerset, SHIP INN, Keynsham. The Ship Inn is currently closed. Owned by the Wellington Pub Company the lease is available through Fleurets:
The following One Star pubs are reported as currently closed for refurbishment: Leather Bottle, Pleshey, Essex and the Star, Grahamston, Falkirk.
If you have any news on our Heritage Pubs please send updates to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk .
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Tom Chapman
