Pub Heritage Bulletin 246 Aug 2023

Devon, DREWE ARMS, Drewsteignton. Good news to report that the community buyout of this wonderful village pub is now moving forward swiftly. On the 28th August the community group announced that their offer had been accepted by Stonegate. They are hoping to raise £600,000 to enable them to complete the purchase and make necessary repairs. They have £330,000 pledged from the community so far and are also applying for grant funding. The official share offer is due to be launched on September 29th. To keep up to date & find out more go to: Drewe Arms Community Pub . They have also been awarded one of the first grants from the Architectural Heritage Fund as part of their ‘Historic Assets into Community Ownership’ programme. This will fund necessary surveys and architectural work. For more info on this grant see: Architectural Heritage Fund . (Also see update on the Bell, Pensax included in 1* star news).
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Worcestershire, BELL & CROSS, Clent. Bad news that the Bell & Cross has closed with tenant Jo Tansley, who has run it for five years, blaming the closure on increasing costs and debt taken on over the pandemic. The pub, which is owned by Stonegate, has been very much food orientated in recent times but maintains a multi-room layout with a particularly fine snug created by timber partitions. We don’t yet know what Stonegate’s intentions are - let’s hope it reopens soon.
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Greater London Central, GUINEA, Mayfair. Tim Havill reports that Youngs, who have run the Guinea since 1888, have renewed their lease for a further 30 years. Run as the Guinea Grill since 1952 and specialising in grass fed beef steaks, they are now expanding next door into what was the Sladmore Gallery to increase dining capacity. The pub retains Victorian fittings and screens, and Youngs have stated that the entrance to the new dining area from the existing will be very discreet in order to conserve the heritage and character of the Guinea.
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West Midlands, ROMPING CAT, Bloxwich. The tenants of the Romping Cat, who had been there for five years, left on 13th August after being forced to quit with 7 days notice by owners Marstons in what appears to be a particularly acrimonious split. The Romping Cat remains open under temporary management with Marstons seeking a new licensee. Thanks to Darren Clayton and Steve Peck for this news.
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North Yorkshire, TAP ON THE TUTT, Boroughbridge. A new 3* star pub? Fear not, this is the new name of the Three Horseshoes, a well preserved inter-war roadhouse, which has now opened under new management - the Tutt being the river on which the town sits. Always a bit worrying when the name of a pub is changed as can herald other changes! – so any updates welcome. Good news that they now serve four real ales, all locally sourced.
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Greater London North, ISLAND QUEEN, Islington. The Island Queen, which was built in 1851 and has a late Victorian interior, has reopened following a refurbishment. Will Johnson reports that it is looking marvellous and they now have two real ales on!
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Derbyshire, EYRE ARMS, Hassop. The Eyre Arms has remained closed since lockdown. After attempts to find out what was going on we have finally received the encouraging news that the owners do indeed want to reopen the pub - the problem being that the tenant is not so inclined and currently remains in situ, so we understand they are starting eviction action. Thanks to Paul Ainsworth for this update.
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Derbyshire, CROWN, Glossop. The Crown, a traditional end of terrace local built in the 1840s and with late Victorian and interwar refits, has closed due to the licensee retiring. The pub is owned by Samuel Smiths, so in line with their other recent closures, it may take a while before a new licensee is found. Thanks to John Pasiecznik for this news.
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Two Star Heritage Pubs