Three Star Heritage Pubs
West Midlands, BARTONS ARMS, Birmingham. Many of you will have already learned of the sudden closure on the 31st January of the Bartons Arms, one of the most impressive pubs from the close of the Victorian era. The Red Pub Company, who were the leaseholders, have said that the business is no longer viable due to rising costs. Paul Ainsworth has contacted the owners, Oakham Ales, who rescued the pub after a period of closure in 2003. He has received the encouraging news that they are actively seeking new tenants, and have had some interest already. So hopefully the closure will be short lived. We will update you when we hear more. Thanks to the many people who got in touch about this. |
Greater London Central, TIPPERARY, Temple. The Tipperary, claimed as London’s first Irish pub, closed in December 2020 when it became the temporary offices of a major development that was taking place behind the pub. We reported on the near loss of its historic mirrors in March 2021. The good news is that a new licence has been applied for and it is planned to reopen (with mirrors) for St Patrick’s Day. See: Hot Dinners. Thanks to Roger Corbett for the update. |
Greater London East, EASTBROOK, Dagenham. A planning application has been submitted to extend the hotel accommodation at the grade II* Eastbrook, recognised as probably the finest 1930s pub in London. The Eastbrook consists of two extremely fine panelled rooms – the Walnut Room and the Oak Room and a third room known as the Music Room. Whilst this proposal retains the Walnut Room and the Music Room in pub use unfortunately the Oak Room is proposed as a reception for the hotel. The potential loss of this important pub room from public use is a great shame. Pub Heritage group have submitted an objection to the proposal. Thanks to Tony Hedger for alerting us to this. |
Greater London West, ANGEL, Hayes End. The Angel, a remarkably intact neo-Georgian roadhouse, was designed for Fullers by T.H. Nowell Powell (who also designed the Forester, West Ealing) and built in 1926. It closed in 2018 and was bought by Hayes Muslim Centre, but their planning application to convert it was refused. It is now on the market through AG&G: AG&G. So there is hope that it will return to pub use. Thanks to Jane Jephcote for this news. |
Tyne & Wear, MOUNTAIN DAISY, Sunderland. We reported on the worryingly frequent changes of management at the grade II* listed Mountain Daisy in December. The pub was built in 1902 and the Buffet Bar with its ceramic bar counter and tiling throughout is one of the most impressive pub rooms in the country. Ken Paul now reports that the freehold is now up for sale at £195,000 through Everard Cole with ‘development potential’: Everard Cole. It is also reported that the exterior is now looking rather dilapidated. We sincerely hope that a new owner comes forward willing to give the Mountain Daisy the investment and care that it deserves. |
Greater Manchester, ROYAL OAK HOTEL, Oldham. We reported on the sudden sale and closure of the Royal Oak in November. The uncertainty over the intentions of the new owners (still unknown!) has caused much concern in the local community, and they and the council have been keeping a close eye on things. The ‘Folk of the Oak’ group was formed and have successfully applied for the pub to be registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). Their objective is to bring the pub into community ownership and they have been busy promoting the campaign including a recent spot on the Radio 4 show You & Yours. The best place currently to keep up to date with developments is the Royal Oak facebook page: Royal Oak. Thanks to John Clarke for the update. |
Cheshire, TRAVELLERS REST, Alpraham. Following a recent visit Mick Slaughter reports that two rooms of the pub are currently closed after a lorry collided with the outside wall last year. The back bar is still operating while they wait for the insurance company to settle. The pub has been in the same family ownership since 1900 and is still run on very traditional lines. It consists of four rooms and most of the fittings are from a 1937 refit. Also of note is the well-used bowling green to the rear. Pub Heritage Group have submitted a listing application to Historic England as it is currently unlisted. |
Greater Manchester, RAILWAY, Broadheath. We report the shocking news that the licence of the Railway has been suspended for three months, and will be reviewed by Trafford Council. This is following the arrest of two men for suspected prostitution offences. See: Altrincham Today. Thanks to John Clarke, Martin Shallcross & Roger Corbett for this. |
West Midlands, WHITE SWAN, Birmingham. We last reported on the change of ownership at the White Swan in May 2023. A planning application has now been submitted to convert the upper floors into a restaurant and cocktail bar. The new restaurant entrance is via the rear hallway from the Birchall Street entrance. The proposals involve rebuilding the toilet block, creating a new doorway in the back corner of the rear smoke room and removal of a small section of fixed seating (which is recent) to accomodate this. Otherwise there seem to be no changes to the pub area. Thanks to Gary Timmins for spotting this and Mark Parkes for making contact with the pub. |
Northumberland, STAR INN, Netherton. We reported in June 2021 that the pub was operating with very limited opening hours. The latest position, in fact, is that it has not traded at all for the last six months and there is no certainty about when it may reopen. |
Two Star Heritage Pubs
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