Pub Heritage Bulletin 245 Jul 2023

East Yorkshire, STATION BUFFET, Bridlington. Dave Gamston reports the bad news that Brass Castle Brewery who had submitted a well-considered planning application to refurbish and reopen the Station Buffet - most recently covered in the June bulletin - have at least for now, withdrawn from the project for business reasons. The lease for this extremely rare survival is now back on the market – See: Lambert Smith Hampton . Considering all the work that went into the planning proposal this a very disappointing and concerning turn of events, let's hope that an alternative operator will come forward soon.
View the Pub

Kent, BROWN JUG, Broadstairs. A planning application for change of use to residential has been lodged with Thanet District Council and is awaiting decision from the council. The pub closed in 2019 and was subsequently listed grade II. We reported in January 2022 the news that it had been bought by the artist Tracey Emin who said at the time that she had no intention of reopening the pub. The application therefore comes as no surprise. Despite an objection by the local CAMRA branch there appears to be no great clamour locally to save it, so we fear the worst.
View the Pub

Suffolk, KING’S HEAD, Laxfield. The famous Suffolk pub, one of only six traditional pubs remaining without a bar counter, is owned by the Low House CIC – a Community Interest Company - formed by a small group of locals who bought the pub in 2018 to save it from development. Since 2022 the CIC has leased the pub to Hare Hospitality Ltd to run the pub business. The CIC are now seeking to raise funds through a share issue to pay off loans that were taken out to purchase the pub and also to set up a maintenance fund - as well as fulfilling their objective to further involve the community. See: East Anglian Daily Times . For those of you who may be interested the minimum amount you can invest is £500 and the share issue is open for two years until July 2025 (so expect an update then!). More information is available in the share prospectus, to obtain a copy you have to email the CIC – address available at the end of the Daily Times article. Thanks to Tony Green for sharing this news.
View the Pub

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley, BRECHIN’S, Glasgow. Brechin’s has been upgraded from 2 to 3 star. It has a virtually intact interior from the 1960s. The scheme, with its extensive ply panelling, ply and formica island bar and leatherette seating is completely redolent of the period and is, as such, a very rare survival. The sitting room created by low partitions is an unusual and very distinctive feature. As well as the public bar downstairs, there is an equally intact function room on the first floor. It is certainly in the same league as the renowned Laurieston Bar not far away.
View the Pub

Hertfordshire, ROSE & CROWN, Trowley Bottom. Philip Lamb reports on building works underway at the Rose & Crown. Planning permission was granted in December 2022 to erect a modest two storey extension in order to provide accommodation for a manager to run the pub. The pub consists of two small bar areas fitted out in the 1950s or 60s and has survived due to long serving landlady Judy Wilding who died in 2016 aged 95. The current owner has been suffering from health problems and the new extension will enable them to continue living there as well as providing accommodation for a manager. It is understood that the works will not affect the bar areas.
View the Pub

Greater London West, FORESTER, West Ealing. We reported last month that the Forester was closed for a refurbishment and that Fullers were taking the pub into their managed portfolio. It has now reopened - new pub website and details here: The Forester .
View the Pub

Two Star Heritage Pubs