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

Three Star Heritage Pubs

Garden Gate, Leeds, West Yorkshire

The acclaimed “jewel in the crown of pub architecture in Yorkshire”, the Garden Gate (pictured above), is due to reopen this week. It has been closed for nearly two years, and the Pub Heritage Group reported in May on the damage and deterioration it has suffered over recent times. The current building dates to 1902 and contains lavish Edwardian fittings and decoration that has remained virtually untouched since that time. It gained a Grade II* listing in 2010 following an application by CAMRA. The Pub Heritage Group has made sure Historic England and Leeds City Council’s conservation officer are aware of the pub’s reopening. Both intend to make visits to assess the state of the interior.

White Lion, Barthomley, Cheshire (above)

The Grade II*-listed White Lion closed in September 2023 after Marston’s 20-year lease of the pub ended. This fine timber-framed building dates back to 1614 and has been operating as a pub since then. The owners have stated that their overriding objective is that it should remain as a pub and have submitted a listed-building application for general repairs. South Cheshire CAMRA branch has said an Asset of Community Value (ACV) listing has been applied for.

Crown & Anchor, Llanidloes, Mid Wales (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in September on the formation of the Crown & Anchor Restoration Project (CARP), which was looking at options for community ownership of the pub which closed in November 2022. CARP hosted an open day at the pub in January to consult with the community. It has now received a grant from the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations to fund the consultation and an architect’s report. More information about the project can be found on the CARP Facebook page here.

Cemetery Hotel, Rochdale, Greater Manchester (above)

Ben Bootham of Lancashire Hospitality took over the Cemetery in November 2023, and he intends to reverse the pub’s recent unsympathetic decorations, including the internal woodwork which was painted over by a previous owner in 2020. The pub is now offering five changing beers alongside Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.

Black Horse, Preston, Lancashire (above)

The Black Horse has won the Central Lancashire CAMRA branch’s Pub of the Year award for a second consecutive time. The Pub Heritage Group congratulates licensee Dan Taylor and the team at the Black Horse. The award presentation will be held at the pub on Thursday 22 February.

Two Star Heritage Pubs

Stamford & Warrington, Coalville, Leicestershire (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in September of the passing of landlord Dave Stanton and the subsequent closure of the Stamford & Warrington. Admiral Taverns has now put the pub up for sale, with offers in the region of £195,000. More information about the freehold offer can be seen on the Everard Cole website here.

Old Thistle Inn, Westruther, Borders (above)

The Old Thistle Inn has been closed for a couple of years but is now up for sale for £195,000. This country pub has three small rooms containing a number of fittings that were salvaged from the nearby Spottiswoode House when it was demolished in the 1940s. More information can be found on the Cullen Kilshaw website here.

White Horse, Priors Dean, Hampshire (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in March on local concern over the imminent closure and refurbishment of the White Horse by owner Fuller’s. However, the pub has now reopened with new landlords Charlie Kearns and Eddie Tyrwhitt-Drake confirming that only very minor changes have taken place.

One Star Heritage Pubs

Bell, Pensax, Worcestershire (above)

It was reported in December that the Save The Bell At Pensax group had been awarded a £275,000 grant by the Community Ownership Fund, with the intention of buying the pub. However, it appears the community group has been gazumped. The current owners have entered into an “exclusivity contract” with a third party to purchase the pub, which runs until mid-February. While this must be a great disappointment for the community group which has put in so much hard work, the new prospective owner is, at the time of writing, intent on running a successful country pub.

Imperial Bar, Wishaw, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley (above)

The Imperial Bar is included on the inventory for its unusual arrangement of four snugs along the left-hand side which probably date back to the 1950s. A recent refurbishment has resulted in the addition of grey paint, black leather upholstery, vinyl tables and the removal of some of the old benches.

Lord Southampton, Kentish Town, Greater London North West (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in May that the Lord Southampton was up for sale at auction having closed in January 2022. The new owner Milegate has successfully applied for a new licence despite resistance from local residents. At the time of writing, a date for the pub’s reopening is not yet known. More information about the license approval can be found on the Ham & High website here.

Other items

BEER

The winter edition of CAMRA’s quarterly BEER includes a trip around Northern Ireland’s inventory pubs with Pub Heritage Group member Mark Finney and features photos by Mick Slaughter. CAMRA members can log in to view the winter issue 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 or “unsubscribe” if you wish to stop receiving bulletins.

Photos by Michael Slaughter and Michael Croxford.