Three Star Heritage Pubs
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: Pembrokeshire Herald . Thanks to Ellie Hudspith and Roger Corbett for this news. |
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. |
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: Mason Young . |
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. |
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. |
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: Ham & High . |
Two Star Heritage Pubs
|