CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news about pubs with historically significant interiors across the UK. For further news, see the Pub Heritage website here.

Three Star pubs

Laurieston Bar, Glasgow, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley

The Grade C-listed Laurieston Bar (main image above) is up for sale. Known for various film and TV appearances, it is popular with tourists and locals. The pub has been operating since 1836, but it is the extremely rare 1960s interior that makes it so special to the Pub Heritage Group. The Clancy family, which has run it for 40 years, has made the decision to sell up with the reassurance that it will remain open until the right buyer is found. The freehold is on the market for £750,000 through Christie & Co. More information about the Laurieston can be found on The Scotsman website here.

Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton Devon (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported on the plans for a community buyout of the Devon pub in the August and September bulletins. Originally, the deadline for the share issue was 29 October, but now the Drewsteignton Community Society has extended that deadline until 12 November to help get it over the line and capitalise on recent national press and TV coverage. So far, it has raised more than £500,000, with a target of £600,000 to buy the freehold, undertake necessary works and prepare the pub ready for opening, which it hopes will be by Christmas. For more information and a link to the current Crowdfunder campaign can be found on the Drewe Arms Community Pub website here.

Woodman, Birmingham, West Midlands (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in August last year of the sad closure of the Woodman due to the economic climate and disruption from the nearby HS2 works. Simon Linford, in partnership with John Brierley, who owns the Swan & Railway, Wigan have now taken on the lease and are undertaking refurbishment works which include the removal of some modern additions. The pub’s reopening is likely to be between Christmas and Easter.

Bell & Cross, Client, Worcestershire (above)

The Bell & Cross reopened on 29 September following its closure in August 2023. Former head chef Chris Dukes and his family have taken on the lease, so it is expected that the pub will remain food orientated.

Fellowship Inn, Catford, Greater London South East (above)

Homegrown Pubs closed the Fellowship on 1 October, after having taken on the lease and reopening the pub in September 2022. The large improved public house design includes a cinema and was part of a massive £4m development that included provision of community facilities. The Fellowship is owned by Pheonix Housing Association which has said the closure is temporary and new tenants are being sought.

Two Star pubs

Greyhound & Punchbowl, Bilston, West Midlands (above)

The Greyhound & Punchbowl was the victim of an arson attack on 30 September which has caused significant damage. The Grade II*-listed, timber-framed building dates back to the 16th century and has operated as a pub for at least 200 years. It was restored in the 1930s by brewer W Butler of Wolverhampton. The extent of the damage to the interior is currently unclear. Landlord George Kang, who has run it for five years, has pledged to rebuild it. For more information about the arson attack, see the BBC News website here.

Ship Inn, Sandgate, Kent (above)

The Ship Inn has been bought by L&B Restaurant Co and is now closed for a major refurbishment. The interior was refitted immediately after the war and the pub is not listed, so any updates would be welcomed by the Pub Heritage Group.

Alexander’s, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, (above)

Following the recent Pub Heritage Group visit to Northern Ireland (see August bulletin), Alexander’s has been upgraded to Two Star status for its 1960s interior.

Horseshoe, Hilltown, Northern Ireland (above)

The Horseshoe, Hilltown has also been upgraded to Two Star status for its unusual semi-circular bar counter, which was probably installed in the inter-war period.

Lion Royal, Rhayader, Mid Wales (above)

In recent times, the Lion Royal has rarely been open, but it now serves on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm. This unashamedly old-fashioned coaching inn has a small rear bar which has remained unchanged since the 1920s.

One Star pubs

Bell, Pensax, Worcestershire (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in August on the potential community buyout of the Bell, which was dependent on £250,000 from the Community Ownership Fund prior to the launch of its share offer. Unfortunately, that application was refused, and the Save the Bell at Pensax group has had to make an improved application which will now be determined in December. For more information about the project, see the Save the Bell at Pensax website here.

Other news

CAMRA Pub Design Awards 

Nominations for the annual CAMRA Pub Design Awards are now open. The categories are new build, community local, Historic England conservation, conversion to pub use and refurbishment. Many heritage pubs have received awards over the years, particularly in the conservation category. Deadline for entries is 19 November for projects that were completed between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. Find out more here.

If you have any news for CAMRA’s Heritage Pubs team, send to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk. If you wish to receive the bulletins directly, sign up by sending an email to bulletin@pubheritage.camra.org.uk with the word “subscribe” as the subject.

Photos by Michael Slaughter and Michael Schouten.