Three Star Heritage Pubs
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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:
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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
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29 Market Street, Tamworth, B79 7LR
Albion Road, Marden, TN12 9DT
Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
23 Haltwhistle Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5ZA
Unit 11, Valley Point Industrial Estate, Beddington Farm Road, Beddington, CR0 4WP
Argyle Place, Love Road, Lowestoft, NR32 2NZ
116, Foregate Street, Chester, Chester, CH1 2HH
Three Star Heritage Pubs
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Two Star Heritage Pubs
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East Yorkshire, POLAR BEAR, Hull. We reported last in March this year on the Grade II listed Polar Bear, which retains one of the only 14 ceramic bar counters surviving in the UK. The Polar Bear Music Club, who run the pub, have made unauthorised changes to the back bar and are submitting a listed building application to cover these changes and other works that will degrade further the heritage status of the pub (which previously was in the top tier of inventory pubs). Following a visit by the planning officer, they have rightly been now ordered to reinstate the back bar and historic booth seating. Ironically Stuart Mumby and Dave Gamston of the Pub Heritage Group have received a request from the Polar Bear Music Club seeking support for the changes! Which, of course, we cannot support.
Nottinghamshire, NEWCASTLE ARMS, Newark. Bad news that the Newcastle Arms, included for it’s mainly 1950s refit, is closed and has been converted to housing following a planning application made in 2021.
Suffolk, CROWN, Snape. We reported in April that the Crown, which is owned by Adnams, had closed. No firm date yet, but it is due to re-open as a pub and Italian restaurant. We are as yet unsure what changes this may result in – the pub is grade II listed and has a particularly fine snug made of high-backed settles which are probably 200 years old.
Northern Ireland, FARMERS HOME, Strabane. Built in 1870 with unchanged left hand bar room with unusual curved counter. Upgraded from One Star. 
Northern Ireland, HARBOUR BAR, Portrush. Two room pub consisting of a front bar which was revamped in the 1950s or 60s and a fine rear snug. Upgraded from One Star. 
Northern Ireland, GARVIN’S HOTEL BAR, Castledawson. Dating back to the 18th Century this unspoilt basic pub has amazingly been owned by the Garvin family ever since. The bar was refurbished in the 1950s. Currently only open Friday and Saturday evenings.
Worcestershire, BELL, Pensax. The proposed community buy out of the Bell is also progressing very well– we last reported on this in March. They have now agreed a sale in principle with the owners and have received £200,000 in pledges for future shares from the community, and are waiting for a decision on a grant from the government backed Community Ownership Fund for £250,000. Once this is resolved they intend to start their formal share offer – likely September. To keep up to date and for more information go to: