Latest news with #historicpub
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Golden Lion pub in Birmingham's Cannon Hill Park to get repairs
Plans for repairs to a historic pub in a Birmingham park have been approved but uncertainty remains for its Golden Lion was built in the 16th Century and originally stood on Deritend High Street but due to concerns about its condition, was dismantled and re-erected in Cannon Hill Park in the Grade II-listed timber-framed building has been unoccupied for more than 20 years and is now in a state of disrepair, scaffolded, and cordoned off from the council said it hoped the works would help preserve part of the city's heritage and avoid "future costly repairs and upkeep" but a meeting earlier heard it would need more funding for its restoration. Eddie Curry, interim head of parks, told the council's trusts and charities committee the work was "well overdue"."It's actually costing the council money to continue to make it safe and secure," he Curry said the approved work wouldn't make the building useable, only secure and watertight."It does halt the future decline of that building any further but there will need to be a future business case and more funding needed at some point that will bring the building into some functioning use," he committee ultimately agreed to grant a licence of the Golden Lion to Birmingham Conservation Trust to bring forward the programme of repairs. What will the work entail? A recent council report, published ahead of the meeting, said the trust was proposing to start work this year on repairing the external structure, roof and also wants to carry out internal repairs to walls, floors, windows and doors, as well as adding French doors at the council said the repair work would allow the removal of the trust previously said it was looking to work with the council and local groups to explore options for the future of the building so it can benefit the Thursday, the government announced historic buildings and sites across England, including four in the West Midlands, would receive grants for Golden Lion project received £344,265. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Fury as 400-year-old UK pub shuts forever after needing £2,000 a day to survive in ‘perfect storm'
A HISTORIC UK pub has shut for good after needing £2,000 a day just to survive leaving locals furious. The centuries old village pub in North Devon has closed its doors for the final time as the owners blame rising costs and a lack of support. 2 2 The Bell Inn in Monkleigh has served the local community for more than 400 years. It shut up shop on Monday, July 29, after the current leaseholder announced the closure on Facebook. They described the decision as one they "never wanted to make". In an emotional farewell, they wrote: "How do you say goodbye to a place that's been at the heart of the village for four centuries? "Today will be our final day of trading at The Bell Inn. "A perfect storm of soaring rent, rising insurance and alcohol costs, plus essential structural repairs leaves us with no suitable option.' Bosses claimed they needed to take £1,500-£2,000 a day just to break even. But with falling footfall and the rising cost of essentials, keeping the pub open wasn't realistic. Roy and Sally Goodger, the pub's owners, say they were blindsided by the closure having leased the business to a new tenant earlier this year with hopes of a revival. Speaking from a family visit in Scotland, Roy told DevonLive: "We had a call from the wife's brother-in-law to say they saw a post from The Bell Inn, and if we knew anything about it – and we didn't.' Pub chain collapses into administration as SIX sites shut their doors for good and 159 job losses He added that the financial situation at the pub had become increasingly difficult, even before they left the day-to-day running of the business last year. The insurance, which was once £3,000 annually, had jumped to £10,500 while energy bills and wholesale costs also surged. Roy said it wasn't just The Bell who has struggled either as pubs across the country "are losing a fortune". 'When we took over in 2019, the price of a pint of local ale was £3.50. If the pub increased prices in-line with costs, a pint would be £10 now, which of course is completely unrealistic," he said. The couple originally took on The Bell after Roy's building career was cut short by injury. They had to take on nearly all the work on themselves just to keep it going with Sally saying they "didn't take a wage" once from the pub. Roy would cook and Sally would run front-of-house with minimal part-time help. Sally now helps run another pub in Ipswich but they said they had no regrets running The Bell but acknowledged the reality facing the sector. It's another blow to rural communities in Devon as locals from nearby villages whose own pubs have already shut often made the trip to The Bell. The future of the Grade-II listed pub is now uncertain but Roy said a reopening was "unlikely" unless costs come down. As for what needs to change, both Roy and Sally point toward a lack of government support with Sally suggesting an adjustment to VAT like in other countries. "They do it in France and Germany to help hospitality during difficult time - but it's fallen on deaf ears for a long time.' What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Fury as remains of Britain's wonkiest pub 'left to rot' for two years after it was destroyed in fire
Fury has erupted after the remains of Britain's wonkiest pub were 'left to rot' for two years after it was destroyed in a fire. The Crooked House, in the village of Himley, Staffordshire, was gutted after a suspected arson attack in August 2023 - two years ago this week. The rest of the 18th-century building was demolished without permission less than 48 hours later by owners ATE Farms, who had bought it just nine days before the blaze. The historic boozer had become well-known across the country for its quirky tilted appearance, caused by the land sinking on one side due to local mining activity. South Staffordshire district council last year ordered the firm to rebuild the 260-year-old protected tavern within three years. But in February, ATE launched an appeal against the enforcement notice, with a hearing in March postponed until the criminal investigation into the fire has finished. While the furore drags on, the site of the Black Country alehouse, near Dudley, has become a 'decaying dumping ground'. Campaigners say it has gone to 'absolute ruin', becoming a hotspot for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. Shocking photos show huge piles of fridges, mattresses, bin liners, children's toys and tyres have been dumped along the lane leading to the West Midlands site. Destroyed fences lay abandoned after landslips caused them to come down - while drugs paraphernalia can also be seen littering the area. Residents have blasted the 'scandalous lack of action' 24 months on from the fire which destroyed 'a national treasure'. Pub regular Martin Eley, 49, of Himley, said: 'To see the site now is heartbreaking. It is just in a state of ruin and nobody has done anything about it. 'The place was once home to one of the UK's most unique pubs - now it is a decaying dumping ground. 'It is scandalous that is has been allowed to happen. Nothing has been done and something needs to change as it will only get worse. 'The longer this goes on like this, the less chance there is of it ever being rebuilt.' Paul Baker, 61, who had been going to the pub since he was 15, said: 'I've lived in the area all my life and I came here with my parents. Residents have blasted the 'scandalous lack of action' 24 months on from the fire which destroyed 'a national treasure'. Pictured: The site two years on from the blaze 'And then later in life, we'd have a great time. So many memories, it's been part of my life. I cannot believe it's gone, I'm devastated. 'It's a shame something so nice has just disappeared from the land. 'It's something that you thought you would never see. This should have been here forever, it was a national treasure. 'There will never be another one like it, even if they rebuild it, it wouldn't be the same but I hope they do.' A Facebook group called Save The Crooked House now has a whopping more than 37,500 members. Its plight and that of other heritage pubs illegally bulldozed have now been brought up in Parliament a number of times. Group member Paul Turner said he and fellow campaigners are also worried about the roads around the site, which have been damaged by landslips and a brook running under them. He said: 'The aim has always been and continues to be to get the Crooked House re-built brick by brick. 'But at the moment, two years on, we are worried about the safety of the area immediately in front of it... 'We want answers as to who will pick up the responsibility for the site before anything can be done about re-building the pub.' But the future of the site has been continually thrown into doubt since the devastating blaze two years ago. A company linked to the ex-owner of the site went bust in April with eye-watering debts of £1.2million. Himley Environmental Ltd (HEL), which owns a landfill site next to the pub, listed George Adam Taylor as director and shareholder. He controls ATE Farms, the firm which bought The Crooked House just before it burned down. At the time of the blaze, the landfill was said to be connected to a ongoing 'feud' with pub bosses over access to the site. It was put into voluntary liquidation after it was taken to court for failing to follow orders from the Environment Agency (EA). Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood has also raised concerns about the safety of the now messy site. Speaking in Parliament in July, he said: 'The lane is a public right of way but access is now difficult due to the massive amount of fly tipping. 'It is encouraging to see a secure gate has been put up to try and prevent further incidents. 'But I am very worried about the brook issue which is making the path dangerous, and also the offensive smell in the area. 'Two years on, we continue to fight for The Crooked House to be re-built and are trying to put pressure on the authorities over the legal process, which seems to be dragging along. 'But in the meantime it is important that the site remains fit for purpose when it potentially is re-built.' He said he would write to the Environment Agency and county council with hopes of urgently securing a site visit and meeting with them. ATE Farms' appeal against being order to rebuild the pub has been delayed until after the police investigation into the suspected arson has finished. ATE Farms' appeal against being order to rebuild the pub (pictured before the fire) has been delayed until after the police investigation into the suspected arson has finished It means campaigners wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in May, urging them to decide whether those under investigation for it will be charged. A CPS spokesman said they had not been given a file by police. But a Staffordshire Police spokesman said: 'The six people that were arrested have been released from bail and are now released under investigation. 'Our investigation is ongoing and a file has been submitted to the CPS.' South Staffordshire Council said in a statement it 'remained committed' to resolving the matter. Just before the devastating blaze, The Crooked House had been sold by brewer Marston's to ATE Farms, after being listed for sale for £675,000. ATE Farms was controlled at the time by glamorous former nail technician Carly Taylor but is now run by her husband Mr Taylor, after she resigned as director in December 2023. A relative told the Daily Mail Mrs Taylor used to run her own beauty business in the town of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, but had since become used to 'living the high life'. The family member added: 'She seems to go here there and everywhere, judging by Facebook.' Pictures on social media showed Mrs Taylor driving a Bentley, flying first class and posing outside the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Gary Timmins, pubs and clubs director for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said the developer's appeal threatened to make a 'complete mockery' of Britain's planning system. 'The appeal requested by the owners of the Crooked House, ATE Farms Limited, was expected but no less insulting,' he said in February. 'Accountability must be taken for the complete destruction of this iconic pub and this hearing undermines South Staffordshire Council's enforcement notice to rebuild it. 'The Crooked House in Himley was destroyed more than 18 months ago and this appeal delays a much-needed outcome. 'The UK's wonkiest pub needs to be rebuilt, back to what it was prior to the fire, as ordered by South Staffordshire Council. 'If this appeal leads to this decision being reversed, it would be a complete mockery of pub protection and campaigning efforts from the local community.' 'The Crooked House saga lifted the lid on the wider scandal of potentially unlawful pub conversions and demolitions across the UK and we continue to demand tighter, stronger planning policies and a requirement in law to rebuild pubs brick-by-brick.' The pub had been on the Historic Environment Record as a building of local importance. The council's notice to rebuild it requires the structure 'to be built back to what it was prior to the fire' and specifies the materials to be used to do this. West Midlands mayor Andy Street has previously praised the council's work on this on X. He wrote: 'An enforcement notice has been issued against the owners for its unlawful demolition. 'They have been ordered to rebuild the pub back to what it was before the fire - just as we've been lobbying for. Fantastic work from South Staffordshire Council.' The decision came weeks after Mrs Taylor resigned from her position as director of ATE Farms Limited on December 15, 2023. Documents submitted as part of the firm's appeal against the order to rebuild reveal its intention to rebuild the pub on another piece of land its owns. They also plan other developments to 'increase footfall'. It states: 'The appellant has not refused to rebuild the building and has actively engaged with the council regarding this. 'Requiring a re-build in the same location, whilst reflective of popular opinion, will not change the fact that the building in that location is not viable as a public house. 'For this reason, the appellant has put forward a sustainable, and what it sees as a genuine and practical solution to the issue, to the council that it rebuild the building on other land that it owns, to operate as a public house, with other development to increase footfall and give the pub and the building a real chance of success as a community asset. 'The proposal locates a newly-constructed Crooked House pub along with appropriate parking and landscaping further north off Crooked House Lane and as near to the highway junction with the Himley Road as would allow.' The document also revealed why the owners claim the former pub had to be fully demolished, after council officers agreed only to three elements of it being removed to make the gutted site safe. It said after council officers left the site, there were further issues: 'It had not been foreseen that removal of the three elements instructed would render the remainder of the building unsafe.' The document adds: 'Removal of the upper sections of the building took with it the steel tie ins which rendered the remaining structure, in the contractor's opinion, completely unsafe and at a high (and unacceptable risk) of collapse. The council's notice to rebuild it requires the structure 'to be built back to what it was prior to the fire' (pictured) and specifies the materials to be used to do this 'The council officers had left the land and a quick decision had to be made. 'The situation on the land was such that, due to the amount of media attention and public attendance, a decision had to be taken quickly as to the immediate safety of the building. 'A decision was made with reference to the director of the appellant that in order to abate the risk, the mainstay of the remaining structure needed to be taken down. 'It was considered that there was a high risk of the building collapsing and causing serious injury or a fatality on the land given the entry on to the land by large numbers of people some of whom were conducting vigils and others removing bricks and other items as memorabilia/ for sale.' There are also plans to build an education centre in the area, incorporating displays on local history, as well as retirement lodges in the existing woodland. It adds: 'In this regard, the appellant is in the process of preparing a detailed pre-application to be put to the council (and neighbouring authorities).'
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plan to convert 15th Century former pub in Devon into flats
Plans have been submitted to convert a historic pub in Devon into Haulfryn Group wants to develop The Blagdon Inn, a 15th Century former pub located within the Devon Hills holiday park in Torquay, into planning application stated the pub and restaurant had lost £250,000 in 2023 and the same again in 2024, leading to the decision to close it, the Local Democracy Reporting Service permitted, the plan would see five new apartments created on the ground floor to go with the two already in existence on the first floor. The applicants said there would be "minimal" alterations to the outside of the building.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Historical Angel Inn in Stockport granted listed status
A 16th Century pub which has a floorboard made from a tree that was growing during the time of the Domesday Book has been granted listed Angel Inn in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has been given Grade II listed status by the Department for Culture on the advice of Historic England (HE).Built in the 16th century, several timbers within the inn's wooden frame date from the 1400s when The Wars of the Roses raged between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Rare surviving wattle-and-daub – a technique that had died out by the 18th century - fills gaps in the building's frame. Using dendrochronology - a method of dating wood - has proved one floorboard was cut from a tree that was alive in 1086, the year the Domesday Book was said records showed the Angel Inn name dates from as early as 1769, though the site's hospitality roots extend further, with references to "Cotterell's inn" used for sequestrators' meetings in the 1640s, who met to organise the confiscation of property of supporters of King Charles I during The English Civil the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the inn became a cultural hub, hosting meetings, concerts and theatrical performances including the Stockport Philharmonic the mid-19th century, the building had been divided into three separate commercial units. Number 22 became home to R.H. Rostron, a prominent Stockport draper after whom Rostron Brow is named. Number 21 was partially occupied by Samuel Chadwick, a wholesale tea and coffee elaborate plasterwork facade added in 1886, designed by architect TH Allen - who also designed the Grade II listed Bank of Stockport opposite - features angel heads with wings forming window keystones, a nod to the building's long history as the Angel Inn. Crispin Edwards, HE listing adviser, said: "The Angel Inn not only preserves historic timbers and building materials from the 16th century and earlier, but its later alterations also tell the story of its development from inn to cultural venue to multi-use commercial property. "The survival of a floorboard from a tree that was growing during the time of the Domesday Book is truly remarkable."Navendu Mishra MP for Stockport said the listing was a "proud moment for our town". "It's one of Stockport's oldest buildings and has played many roles in the town's history. "From its role in the English Civil War to hosting concerts and community events, The Angel Inn has long been a cornerstone of local life."Stockport Heritage Trust said they were "pleased to acknowledge that another medieval addition to our market place has received the recognition it deserved". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
