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Three Star Heritage Pubs
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 Edinburgh & the Lothians, PRESTOUNGRANGE GOTHENBURG, Preston Pans. This superb Arts & Crafts style pub, built in 1908, sadly closed at the end of January after licensee Patrick Cairney quit. The owner, Dr Gordon Prestoungrange, believes that the pub is not viable due to recent increased costs associated with the industry. He is now seeking ideas from the local community for alternative uses and has called a public meeting to discuss its future on the 12th March. – see: East Lothian Courier.The unusual name of the pub originates from the Swedish Gothenburg system, which still operates here. The intention of the system is to encourage temperance where the manager makes no profit from alcoholic drinks, but only from food and non-alcoholic drinks. Profits above 5% are also devoted to projects of public benefit. It is one of only four Scottish pubs still run on the Gothenburg system, and it would be a sad day indeed if we were to lose this unique heritage pub. Let’s hope the community want to keep it open and can convince the owner.
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 Kent, BROWN JUG, Broadstairs. More grim news to report from the Brown Jug, owned by celebrity artist Tracey Emin, where planning permission (retrospective) for change of use has finally been granted – it was lodged in June 2023. Unfortunately, the result is not surprising given the dilapidated state of the building making its viability as a pub questionable, coupled with a lack of local clamour over its loss. See: Isle of Thanet News. Thanks to Julian Stone, Pubs Officer for Thanet CAMRA, for this update.
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 East Sussex, PRINCE ALBERT, Brighton. We reported in November 2023 on the planning application to develop the adjoining building. The proposal at that time included Air B&B, and as the Prince Albert is a long established and vibrant live music pub, the concern was that noise complaints would follow threatening the pubs future. Thankfully the application was turned down by the council. However, the applicant has now gained permission on appeal, albeit with a modified proposal that we understand only includes office use. See: BBC.
Concerns remain as complaints could still occur from the occupants of the offices or from a future residential change of use potentially under permitted development rights. However, the ‘Agent of Change’ principle is now enshrined within the National Planning Policy Framework (See here for further insight: Womble Bond Dickinson). This should provide some comfort as it aims to mitigate or prevent future change of use that would be in conflict with established neighbouring businesses – but this is to be tested - particularly in an environment where the government is keen to address the housing crisis. View the Pub
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 Derbyshire, OLDE GATE INNE, Brassington. Some cheerier news from Derbyshire where 20-year-old Shannon Lyons has become the new licensee of the Olde Gate. See: Derbyshire Live. The Olde Gate has an interior relatively unchanged since 1874 and is recommended by Roger Protz as ‘Simply the perfect winter pub, you won’t find a cosier place in the country’ So well worth a visit before spring arrives! Thanks to Paul Ainsworth for sharing this.
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 West Midlands, WHITE SWAN, Birmingham. The White Swan closed on January 17th. We had last covered it in February 2024 when the pub changed ownership and a planning application to develop the upper floors was submitted (while retaining the ground floor public house). We think that this latest closure is linked to the planning application with perhaps the works due to start soon. Birmingham CAMRA are endeavouring to find out, but please let us know if you can shed any light on the situation?
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 Northern Ireland, CENTRAL BAR, Irvinestown. Correction! In the last bulletin we reported that the Central Bar was closed. Mick Slaughter has let us know that it is in fact open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 5pm to close. Thanks to Mick and apologies for the error.
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Norfolk, GATEHOUSE, Norwich. We last reported on the Gatehouse in April 2024 when the Asset of Community Value (ACV) had been re-instated following the pub’s closure. A community group ‘The Gatehouse Community Hub’ have registered as a Community Benefit Society and are looking to raise funds to buy the pub, which is now on the market through Brown’s of Norwich. See: 
Central London East, DENMARK ARMS, East Ham. The Denmark Arms closed at the end of January and the freehold is now for sale with an asking price of £1,250,000 through AG&G. See: 
Devon, OXENHAM ARMS, South Zeal. The picturesque Oxenham Arms on the edge of Dartmoor is up for sale with an asking price of £1,400,000. See: 
Derbyshire, ROYAL OAK, Chesterfield. Having been closed for three years we are pleased to report that the pub has been sold by the Stonegate pubco with the new owners due to reopen in April- see: .jpg)
East Sussex, KING’S ARMS, Eastbourne. In the last bulletin we included the news on the planning application that had been submitted for the Kings Arms to turn the ground floor of this listed pub into apartments. Now we hear that there was an arson attack on the night of 2nd February - see: 
Nottinghamshire, PEACOCK, Nottingham. We last covered the Peacock in February 2023 when it reopened following a £250,000 refurbishment by owners Heineken Star Pubs & Bars with manager Ben Bronson at the helm. Ben has now decided to move on due to Star changing the dynamic of the pub with more emphasis on sports TV and cheaper brands which Ben sees as moving away from the inclusive community ethos of the pub that he had fostered during his time there. See: 
Nottinghamshire, CUCKOO BUSH INN, Gotham. Stephen Peck reports that the Cuckoo Bush Inn is closed with a sign-up advertising for new tenants with a promise of ‘refurbishment planned’ We were aware of a planned refurbishment of the pub and actually thought that it had already taken place. Stephen adds that the unspoilt public bar remains currently unaltered, but for how much longer? Further updates welcome.
