Pub-Heritage-Bulletin-224-Sep-2021

West Midlands, WHITE SWAN, Birmingham. Having been closed for two years, The White Swan has re-opened. This follows a restoration by well-respected local landlords Nigel Barker, who runs the celebrated real ale pub the Wellington, and Will Young, who runs the National Inventory Woodman. Both the White Swan and the Woodman were designed by pub architects James & Lister Lea at the turn of the century. A selection of 6 real ales are available. Full story here: Birmingham Mail.
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

North Yorkshire, BIRCH HALL INN, Beck Hole. This wonderfully unspoilt time warp pub situated within the North York Moors National Park, has re-opened. Previously the owners had kept it closed due to the limited indoor space. Hours are currently limited to: Sun 11.30-7.30; Monday 11.30-3.30; Weds, Thurs, Fri 11.30-7.30. Hours are being reviewed at the end of October and no food is being served. The current owners have now been there since 1981. Previous owner, Mrs Schofield, who had run the pub for 53 years, had stipulated as part of the conditions of the sale that no changes were to be made.
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

Tyne & Wear, DUN COW, Sunderland. The Dun Cow, re-opened on the 2nd September having been shut since March 2020. A room on the first floor has been converted from former restaurant use to a new function room, and a direct entrance to this room created. Built between 1901-2, the richly detailed art nouveau bar-back is one of the most spectacular in the country. See more: Sunderland Echo .
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

Cheshire, CASTLE, Macclesfield. Further to our June bulletin, we report good news that The Castle reopened on the 24th September. The pub had been shut since 2015. The owners, local company Branching Out Two Ltd, obtained listed building consent for some minor alterations in 2018. This work has now been completed. Thanks to Paul Wreglesworth and Roger Corbett for this update.
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

West Midlands, VILLA TAVERN, Birmingham. We reported in the July bulletin that the Villa Tavern had shut and that the lease was available from Admiral Taverns. Good news that, according to Whatpub, it has found a new tenant and re-opened.
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

Greater London South East, LORD NELSON, London. Will Johnson reports that much of the woodwork, including mirror surrounds has been subjected to a gastro-grey makeover, and also that the right-hand mirror behind the servery has been completely covered over. The pub is grade II listed, and so the painting requires listed building consent. The transgression has been reported to Southwark Council.
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

Greater London West, WINDSOR CASTLE, Kensington. The Windsor Castle closed for a quick refurbishment on 30th August, re-opening on 17th September. Most of the work seems to be to the exterior and upgrading the garden, with minimal work inside. Thanks to David Sanderson for this. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

Somerset, ROSE & CROWN, Huish Episcopi. Known as Eli’s, after one-time landlord Eli Scott, the Rose & Crown has been run by the same family for four generations. The current generation of Maureen & Steve Pittard and Trish O’Malley are now taking a back seat having run the pub for forty years. They are handing over control to the fifth generation - Trish’s son Ryan, his wife Annalee, and Trish’s daughter Lauren. The pub will close on the 31st October, and will not re-open until Spring 2022. This will give time to sort out the legal arrangements and make some necessary repairs. Trish also said that their trade had been badly affected over the pandemic, and they are not expecting this winter to be any better. We will of course let you know when they do re-open. The Rose and Crown is one of only six pubs historically in the UK without a bar counter.
See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.

Greater Manchester, CASTLE HOTEL, Manchester. The Castle re-opened in July. It had not re-opened earlier due to the difficulty in hosting music in the back room - which is a major part of the pub’s business. The small public bar has a wonderful faience (both ceramic and tiled) bar counter. It is one of only thirteen pubs with ceramic bar counters in the UK.See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.