Three Star Heritage Pubs
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West Wales, DYFFRYN ARMS, Pontfaen. We bring the sad news that the legendary landlady of the Dyffryn Arms, Bessie Davies died on December 16th aged 94 years. Bessie had been at the Dyffryn Arms for 74 years, taking over as landlady from her mother-in -law, Mary Howells in 1972. The pub has now been in the same family since 1840. A bastion of traditional hospitality, it sells one ale - Bass from the jug. For the last decade Bessie has been assisted by her family, both children and grandchildren and it is wonderful news to hear that they will continuing to run the pub. See:
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Staffordshire, VINE, Pitshill, Stoke-on-Trent. More sad news to report with the death of Sid Alcock, landlord of the Vine, who died on the 27th November also aged 94 years. The Vine, a small unspoilt three-room Victorian back street local, has been closed for two years after Sid retired. We understand that his widow will continue to live on the premises. Thanks to Andy Parkin for this news.
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West Midlands, WATERLOO, Smethwick. The grade II*Waterloo, built in 1907 as a flagship pub for brewers Mitchell & Butlers, has now been closed since 2011. The current owner purchased the pub in 2016 and has since let the upper floors as residential but there has been little progress in letting the pub - which as well as the ground floor also consists of a unique and spectacular tiled basement grill room. Paul Ainsworth reports that council officials met with the owner following the serving of a tidy up notice. The owner we understand intends to comply with this order but the major news is that he now has a tenant for the ground floor, though that person’s intentions aren’t currently known. For pictures showing the current state of the interior see agent’s particulars here:
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Greater Manchester, ROYAL OAK HOTEL, Oldham. We reported on the sudden and very concerning closure of the Royal Oak in November’s bulletin - still no confirmation of who the new owners may be, but they didn’t take long to start work with reports from the local community of workmen filling skips and also a water leak. Planning enforcement were alerted and have been to site, taken pictures and reminded them of necessity for listed building consent. Apparently, there has been no damage to the fabric and they are simply removing rubbish, and the leak has been fixed. It is good to see that the local community are keeping a close eye on things, and that planning enforcement responded so promptly.
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Tyne & Wear, MOUNTAIN DAISY, Sunderland. Ken Paul reports that the Mountain Daisy has reopened (again) with new tenants promising karaoke 4 days a week and cheap drinks. We last reported on the refurbishment and reopening in May 2021, with the welcome news that the spectacular tiled buffet bar was back in pub use. Worryingly, it does seem to be a challenge for Trust Inns, who own the pub, to retain tenants. Ken also reports that the Stags Head, South Shields (also Three Star) is being well run by new licensees Norman Pippin and Julie Sullivan, who took over a year ago and have now reinstated a real ale offering - which is proving popular.
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Greater London North West, WASHINGTON, Belsize Park. The Washington, built in 1865 and retaining many Victorian features, closed in early October for a refurbishment. Will Johnson reports that it has now reopened and following a visit says that all looks well. A new seating area has been created by the relocation of the gents. Only jarring note being the replacement of part of the counter with a marble slab. See:
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Two Star Heritage Pubs
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Greater London East, CAULIFLOWER, Iford. The Cauliflower, grade II listed and dating from around 1900, has been closed since a fire in 2018. Andy Shaw reports that building work is underway following a planning application that was granted in October this year. The upper floors are to be converted to flats and the basement to a member’s club. While the ground floor bar itself is retained in the proposals, it appears much of it is now earmarked for restaurant use, with a new extension to house the kitchen. There is a ‘Restaurant Bar’ and a ‘Sports Bar’ proposed to occupy the front and right-hand bar areas respectively - these presumably will be available for drinking without a meal. A separate application has been lodged for residential development of the car park, which is deemed superfluous. This is a major redevelopment and no doubt will require reassessment once reopened..jpg)
East Sussex, COLONNADE BAR, Brighton. Last December we reported on the closure for refurbishment of the Colonnade Bar, which dates to 1894 and served as a theatre bar for the Brighton Theatre Royal. It has now reopened with the original ornate plaster ceiling, which had been covered over, now restored. And a doorway that connects to the theatre foyer also reinstated. See: 
Mid Wales, TY BRITH, Carno. Upgraded from One Star to Two Star. This mid-19th Century Gothic style house was converted to pub use in 1959 and has barely changed since then. It consists of a slatted bar counter with formica top and bar back shelving which serves two small rooms which are basically furnished. In the entrance hallway there is an off sales hatch and upstairs a snooker room which is currently unused.
Mid Wales, GOAT INN, Llanfihangel. Upgraded from One Star to Two Star. A trip to the Goat is like visiting someone’s house and is one of the last remaining examples of a traditional beer houses in Wales where you can drink in a domestic setting. It has been in the same family for four generations. The main public bar dates to the 1950’s and there is one main bar room with an overspill hallway – which used to be the main bar. Previously there were two other pub rooms, but these have now been in residential use since the 1950s.
Gwent, WHEASTSHEAF, Llanhennock. Also Upgraded from One Star to Two Star. A traditional village pub that consists of two bar rooms and an off sales that have been little altered in over 50 years. The small snug bar on the left in particular is a real 1960s period piece with hardbacked panelled walls and a small formica topped bar and tiled fireplace.
Hertfordshire, PLOUGH, Ley Green. Owners Admiral Taverns have applied for planning permission to convert this village pub to residential. The pub has an Asset of Community Value (ACV) in place and there is strong local opposition to the potential loss. The community have now started a campaign to buy the pub and fight the application. Paul Ainsworth is assisting the group with their objection. See: 
West Wales, RED LION, Llandovery. We reported last month that this long-closed time warp pub, which was previously on the National Inventory, was due to be auctioned with a guide price of £75,000. We can confirm that it sold for £86,000. No news yet on the new owner or their intentions – we will update you when we hear anything further.
West Yorkshire, RISING SUN, Leeds. Previously on the National Inventory the Rising Sun on Kirkstall Road has been closed since 2009. Paul Ainsworth reports the not unexpected news that, following a five year long planning battle, proposals have finally been approved by the council to convert the upper floors to residential with the ground floor to become a coffee bar. See: 
