Preserving historical taverns: Planning regulations need to shift to safeguard iconic structures

In a recent turn of events, the demolition of the iconic 18th-century Crooked House pub in Staffordshire has sparked concerns among advocates for the preservation of local pubs and their communities.

Tom Stainer, the chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), has expressed his concern over the lack of reference to local communities and proper permissions in the demolition or conversion of pubs. He cited examples such as the Carlton Tavern in north London and the Punch Bowl Inn in Lancashire, where councils have ordered pubs to be re-built following demolition.

The new owners of the Crooked House pub were responsible for its demolition, just nine days after the pub was sold by Martson's. The demolition occurred two days after a fire, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the police.

Greg Mulholland, director of the Campaign for Pubs, has also voiced his concern over the loss of pubs and their impact on communities. He noted that research by Camra found that of the 96 pubs that had been converted or demolished across the UK in the first six months of the year, 31 of those lacked planning permission.

The government has recognised the pressure pubs are under from rising energy and other costs, and has emphasised their importance for communities across the country. In an effort to support hospitality businesses, the government has offered a billion in grants and loans throughout the pandemic, and has also provided an unprecedented package of support for energy bills last winter.

However, Tom Stainer has expressed concern that the system is not working and that there needs to be proper enforcement and serious penalties for those who disregard planning legislation. He added that the demolition of the Crooked House pub is a clear example of this issue.

The demolition of the Crooked House pub is not an isolated incident, as evidenced by the fact that 61 pubs were put on the market by Martson's earlier in 2023. The Stonegate Group, the largest pub company in the UK, has also put 1,000 venues up for sale in recent months.

As the debate over the preservation of pubs and their role in local communities continues, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that proper planning permissions are obtained and that the needs of local communities are taken into account in the demolition or conversion of pubs.