Pub Heritage Bulletin 266 Apr 2025

Staffordshire, VINE, Pittshill, Stoke-on-Trent. We covered the sale of this exceedingly rare small Victorian back street local in January when we learnt the good news that the new owners are intending to re-open the Vine. A new premises licence has now been applied for, so we anticipate it opening its doors in the near future. The pub was run by Sid Alcock until 2021 and had been run by Sid’s family since 1939. The building is grade II listed and no planning application has been made for any changes. No news yet from the new owners themselves but at this point we are hopeful that no major changes will take place.
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Tyne & Wear, MOUNTAIN DAISY, Sunderland. We reported last month on the sudden closure of the Mountain Daisy following its sale by Trust Inns with the new owners reportedly having no intention of reopening it as a pub. The local community are extremely concerned about its future and have now lodged an application with the council to have the pub recognised as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) delivered by local councillor Steve Donkin. See: Sunderland Echo. The pub which is grade II* listed will require planning consent for any change of use. The ACV will further protect its future use as a pub, as well as giving the community the opportunity to purchase if it happens to be put up for sale in the future. View the Pub

West Midlands, BULLS HEAD, Telford. The Bulls Head is included on the inventory primarily for the front bar with its exceptional tilework dating to 1904. Stuart Mumby reports that currently this room is closed (but staff will allow you to have a look). It is the intention to reopen this soon with real ale being reintroduced. Alterations are being carried out to the more modern parts of the pub and Stuart reports that some damage has taken place to the tiling to the former right-hand corridor. The Bulls Head is owned by Inglenook Inns and they are currently advertising the tenancy. See: Inglenook Inns.
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Staffordshire, DUKE WILLIAM, Stoke-on-Trent. The freehold of the Duke William was sold at auction in early March. We don’t yet know who the new owners are so any further news is welcome. The pub was put up for sale after a period of instability with a number of licensees unable to make a success of running it – see January bulletin. It is included on the inventory for its 1930s interior.
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Leicestershire, STAMFORD & WARRINGTON, Coalville. Following a recent visit to the Stamford & Warrington, which has been closed since June 2023, Mick Slaughter reports the bad news that the 1950s interior of this unlisted pub has been stripped out. And that a planning application has been lodged for change of use to retail and residential. Admiral Taverns put the pub on the market following the death of long-term landlord Dave Stanton and we understand that it was purchased by the owner of the adjoining buildings.
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Merseyside, CRACKE, Liverpool. Well known for its associations with John Lennon amongst others, Ye Cracke is currently closed following its recent sale. See: Liverpool Echo. It is understood that the new owner intends to re-open in due course with a refurbishment anticipated. The multi-room layout has evolved over the last century with fittings dating primarily from the 1960s. But it also includes a Victorian era panelled snug known as ‘The War Office’ where it is said that locals would discuss the progress of the Boer War. Thanks to Mick Slaughter for this news.
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Greater London West, BUILDERS ARMS, Teddington. Following a two-year closure this Edwardian two-room local reopened in November following a ‘respectful’ refurbishment by new owner Barry Wison. Photos seen shown that the pub has definitely had a good spruce up with the historic features retained. Vesa Saarinen from the Pub Heritage Group has recently visited the pub and confirms that all seems well.
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Norfolk, GATEHOUSE, Norwich. We reported on the potential sale of the Gatehouse to a community group in February. Paul Ainsworth now reports that their bid was unsuccessful and the pub has been sold to another buyer. See: Norwich Evening News. The pub, which closed in April 2023, is registered as an Asset of Community Value. It was built in 1934 by the Norwich brewers Morgans as an improved public house and was listed grade II in 2015 by Historic England, one of 21 pubs listed at the time recognising the heritage value of pubs of the period. Seems likely that it will reopen as a pub - any further updates welcome.
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Norfolk, GREEN DRAGON, Wymondham. Admiral Taverns is seeking new tenants for this ancient town pub. They have reduced the rent and held an open day on April 15th for potential tenants. See: Admiral Taverns. for details. We last reported on the Green Dragon when experienced licensees Victoria and Graeme Macdonald took over in April 2023. It was hoped that this would herald a new era of stability but the Macdonalds quit the pub six months later with another pair of experienced licensees taking over in January 2024. So, it is worrying to hear that Kayleigh Charlish & Kieran Bullen have now quit the pub to focus on their other nearby pub. They have expressed their frustration with Admiral Taverns for not committing to the investment that they feel is required to rejuvenate this venerable old inn, which was built in 1378 and has functioned as an inn since the 16th Century.
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Greater London South West, ANTELOPE, Tooting. The Antelope reopened on April 11th following a £1million refurbishment by new owners Urban Pubs & Bars. The refurbishment has been reported in the press as being a careful restoration that respects the pub’s interwar heritage. However, after making his own visit Rex Ward of Pub Heritage Group reports as follows: ‘An early 2025 refurbishment has resulted in the loss of most of the inter-war features. Specifically, in the main bar at the front the following features have been lost: the bar counter, stillion bar-back in the centre of the servery, and the mirrored bar-back at the rear of the servery with its "Barclays Beers" illuminated panel. The double doors and glazed panel separating the main bar from the dining room at the rear have been lost, leaving a wide opening. The servery - bar counter and bar-back - in the dining room have been lost in order to accommodate more seating, and the dining room itself has been shortened in order to accommodate a kitchen at the back. However, the former billiards room at the back is virtually unchanged, although the panelled walls have been painted magenta, and a modern bar counter has been added.’ The Antelope, which is not listed, was previously graded at Two Star but has now been downgraded to One Star following these changes.
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Isle of Wight, VOLUNTEER, Ventnor. The freehold of this small two-room Victorian town pub is up for sale due to the retirement of the current owner. It is being marketed by agents Gully Howard with an asking price of £285,000. See: Gully Howard. Thanks to Tim Havill for this news. Let’s hope that a sympathetic buyer comes forward.
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Derbyshire, ROYAL OAK, Chesterfield. New owners Meg Hartman and Partick Hopkins re-opened the Royal Oak, Chesterfield’s oldest pub, after a light refurbishment on Good Friday. They bought the pub after Stonegate put the freehold up for sale. See: Derbyshire Times. The pub has been closed for three years so great to see it open again and to whet your appetite Meg and Patrick are serving up to eight cask ales.
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West Yorkshire, HIGHLAND LADDIE, Leeds. Another reopening to report in Leeds where the Highland Laddie (was the Highland) reopened on 17th April after being shut for two years. The new owners also run the Empire Café in Leeds and whilst it will be more food orientated, they are committed to retaining the character and culture of the pub.
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Greater London East, ROUNDHOUSE, Dagenham. The Roundhouse was graded at One Star but has now been removed from the inventory. We reported on the refurbishment works at this large unlisted interwar pub in August. The works are now complete and the pub has been fully opened up with the loss of remaining historic features.



Other Items of Interest

New Government Funding for Heritage Assets. The government has announced £20 million pounds worth of funding to protect heritage assets in England. This is split between the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund - See: Historic England and the Heritage Revival Fund – see: Architectural Heritage Fund Potentially both of these funds can be used for heritage pub projects. CAMRA released a supporting statement for the fund. See CAMRA where Pub Heritage Group Chairman Paul Ainsworth highlights the need for more funding for community pubs that do not satisfy the criteria. In particular those that are considering community ownership. Currently there is limited funding for these initiatives since the disappointing closure of the Community Ownership Fund last year.



If you have any news on our Heritage Pubs please send updates to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk .

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Tom Chapman