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Devon, LUPPITT INN, Luppitt. We reported in March on the reopening of the Luppitt Inn, an extremely rare example of a small and very basic farmhouse pub, in the knowledge that significant changes to the interior had taken place that would require a re-assessment. The pub had been closed since 2021 following the death of long serving landlady Mary Wright and is now owned by Mary’s granddaughter and her husband, Caroline and Phil Smith. The building was in a poor condition and a fair amount of work has been necessary including re-roofing in order to resolve problems with damp in the building. The small public bar, which could only accommodate 10 people, has been opened up by the removal of the left-hand internal wall, incorporating an adjoining room which had been Mary's bedroom for many years (this was a pub room in the past, and a hatch connecting it to the bar was uncovered during the works). This has created one larger room with walls replastered and a new floor put down. The old bar counter and shelving have been re-used in the new space, albeit in a different location and configuration. The changes have doubled the capacity of the pub, and for the Smiths this has been necessary to try and ensure the pubs viability. The Smiths must be commended for all their efforts in ensuring the survival of this unique pub, which retains its characteristic basic simplicity and is still well worth a visit. However, the changes to the historic layout and fabric have meant that it no longer satisfies the criteria for inclusion on the inventory and regretfully it has been removed.
Two Star Heritage Pubs
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 Edinburgh & the Lothians, VOLUNTEER ARMS (STAGGS), Musselburgh. Congratulations to the Volunteer Arms (Staggs) for making it through to the final four of CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2025. See: CAMRA .This superb pub has rather incredibly been run by the same family since it was built in 1858. The well-preserved public bar has a surviving Victorian back gantry with four large spirit casks that are a rare survivor from the late 19th Century. The overall winner is due to be announced early next year.
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.jpg) East Sussex, DEWDROP INN, Peacehaven. We covered the planning application to demolish the Dewdrop, which has an unspoilt 1960’s interior, in the May bulletin. We hear that the application has now been approved and the pub is due to be replaced with a block of 14 flats. A sad but not unsurprising outcome with little local objection to the loss of the pub. Thanks to Jamie Hooper for the news.
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 Dumfries & Galloway, GRAPES, Stranraer. The Grapes, a town centre pub which was built in 1862 as a coaching inn, has an interior which has been little altered since the 1950s. Mick Slaughter reports that has been up for sale for some time with a now reduced asking price of £235,000. See: South West Property Centre . The Grapes remains open and is a respected real ale and music venue having been awarded the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Pub of the Year on numerous occasions under the ownership of Billy Hodge and Sally Whorlow who have run the pub for twenty years.
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 Borders, OLD THISTLE INN, Westruther. It is good to hear that the Old Thistle Inn has reopened after being closed for a number of years. We last reported that it was up for sale in January 2024. The pub has three small rooms containing a number of fittings that were salvaged from nearby Spottiswood House when it was demolished in the 1940s.
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Greater Manchester, MARBLE ARCH, Manchester. The Marble Arch in Manchester is under threat from a proposed neighbouring development in a scenario similar to the threat that is still facing Manchester’s Britons Protection. Developers McGoffs are proposing to build two tower blocks, which are to be 15 and 17 storeys high next door to the Marble Arch, with the 15 storey one being hard up against the gable wall of the pub. A public consultation is being held by McGoffs prior to any planning application being submitted, although this is only open for comments until the 7th November. The link is here: 
West Midlands, ANCHOR, Birmingham. We can report the good news that the Anchor, which closed in June, reopened on the 31st October having been taken over by Peter Connolly who runs the nearby bar and music venue Nortons Digbeth. A party was held on the 30th October at the pub to celebrate the reopening which was attended by the Mayor, Richard Parker and Matt Campbell of UB40. See: 
Greater London South East, RED BULL, Peckham. The Red Bull has recently returned to pub use having operated as both a shop and restaurant in the recent past. The interior is largely modernised but has now been added to the inventory due to its remaining tiling, in particular a magnificent mural of the trial of Catherine of Aragon as depicted in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. The tiling was made by WB Simpsons & Sons and thought to have been installed in 1875.
Borders, CAFÉ AUBERGE, Galashiels. The Café Auberge is a new incarnation for what was the Harrow Inn. It is now operating as a French style bistro, but we understand the new owner has retained the historic features and restored the splendid island bar. Thanks to John Ferguson and Mick Slaughter for this news.
