Pub Heritage Bulletin 281 Aug 2026

Greater Manchester, PEVERIL OF THE PEAK, Manchester. We are sad to report that Nancy Swanick, landlady of the famous Manchester pub, has died aged 96. Nancy had been at the helm since 1971, although she had stepped back in recent years with family members continuing to run the pub. See: Manchester Evening News. The ‘Pev’ is one of the most iconic pubs in the UK and this year was named as the best pub in Britain by Time Out. It was remodelled around 1900 and is famed for its striking green tiled exterior. The interior is an outstanding survival, consisting of three rooms filled with quality woodwork, tiling, glass and fixed seating of the period. Astonishingly, the pub was earmarked for demolition in the 1980’s as part of a proposed road widening scheme, and was saved after a local campaign by CAMRA and others.
View the Pub

West Sussex, BLUE SHIP, The Haven. Following our report of its temporary seasonal closure in the February bulletin, Paul Saunders, CAMRA Regional Director South East, has contacted us to confirm that the Blue Ship has reopened albeit with restricted hours. The pub recommends that you contact them if planning a visit, as the hours can be changeable. The Blue Ship is a true rarity with the highlight being the characterful low beamed bar room with drinks served via a stable door hatch with no bar counter.
View the Pub

Norfolk, GATEHOUSE, Norwich. A planning application has been lodged to convert the Gatehouse into a mosque and community centre. See: Norwich Evening News.
The Norwich Muslim Centre bought the Gatehouse last year after a community group, who were intending to reopen the pub, failed to raise the necessary funds. We last reported on the Gatehouse in the May bulletin when unauthorised works to the interior of this grade II statutory listed pub were halted by Norwich City Council. The Gatehouse was a popular pub until its closure in 2023 following the death of the owner. Built in 1934 by Norwich brewers Morgans as an improved public house, it was one of 21 interwar pubs listed in 2015 by Historic England recognising the historic value of pubs of this period. Objections have been lodged by Richard Dixon, Pub Protection Office for Norwich and District CAMRA and by Paul Ainsworth for Pub Heritage Group. Thanks to Richard for alerting us to this.
View the Pub

North Yorkshire, TANKARD, Rufforth. Samuel Smith’s Brewery is at last making headway in getting many of their closed pubs re-opened with reports now appearing regularly in the local media. The Tankard has been closed for three years and opened in late July with locals flocking to enjoy their sorely missed village pub once again. See: York Press. The interior dates to 1937, when Leeds architect H. Lane Fox oversaw the refurbishment for the brewery. It consists of two small rooms with the public bar retaining a curved servery, high quality parquet flooring, and fixed seating from the period.
View the Pub

North Yorkshire, WELLINGTON, York. The Wellington, also owned by Samuel Smith’s, has reopened (on the 11th of August). The closure of this much-loved back street terraced pub in November 2024 caused much consternation – see the January 2025 Bulletin. The Welly dates to the 1850s and is the oldest purpose-built pub in York to remain so unaltered. It was one of the first statutory listings following a pilot study by CAMRA/ English Heritage in 1994. It is good to see this wonderful pub opening again. Thanks to Dave Gamston for the news.
View the Pub

Oxfordshire, CROOKED BILLET, Stoke Row. A fire in the kitchen has caused the Crooked Billet to shut for repairs. The fire had spread to the roof and caused damage to the upper floor. Thankfully, it appears that the ground floor rooms have not been badly affected, and it is due to reopen by the end of the month. Although functioning primarily as a restaurant, it is possible to buy drinks. There is no bar counter, making it one of only eight such historic pub interiors left in the country.
View the Pub

Leicestershire, STAMFORD & WARRINGTON, Coalville. Plans to convert the Stamford & Warrington to retail use have been approved by North West Leicestershire District Council. The pub shut in 2023 and was put on the market by Admiral Taverns. It was an excellent example of how pubs were refitted in simple style during the 1950s and early 60s. So, all the more tragic that, being unlisted, the interior has already been ripped out – see April 2025 Bulletin. Thanks to Steve Peck for the update.
View the Pub