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

Bartons Arms, Birmingham, West Midlands

The Bartons Arms (above), one of the most impressive pubs from the late-Victorian era, suddenly closed on 31 January. Leaseholder Red Pub Company has said the business is no longer viable due to rising costs. CAMRA’s national planning policy advisor Paul Ainsworth has contacted owner Oakham Ales, which rescued the pub after a period of closure in 2003. It is hoped the closure will be short lived, as Paul was told new tenants were being sought.

Tipperary, Temple, Greater London Central (above)

The Tipperary, which is said to be London’s first Irish pub, closed in December 2020 when it became the temporary offices for a major development that was taking place behind the pub. The Pub Heritage Group reported on the near loss of its historic mirrors in March 2021. A new licence has been applied for, and it is planned to reopen for St Patrick’s Day. More information about the reopening can be found on the Hot Dinners website here.

Eastbrook, Dagenham, Greater London East (above)

A planning application has been submitted to extend the hotel accommodation at the Grade II* Eastbrook, recognised as probably the finest 1930s pub in London. The Eastbrook consists of two extremely fine panelled spaces known as the Walnut Room and the Oak Room, plus there is a third named the Music Room. The proposal retains the Walnut and Music rooms in pub use, but it is proposed that the Oak Room is to become a reception for the hotel. The potential loss of this important room from public use is a great shame. The Pub Heritage Group has submitted an objection.

Angel, Hayes End, Greater London West (above)

The Angel, a remarkably intact neo-Georgian roadhouse, was designed for Fuller’s by TH Nowell Powell (who also designed the Forester, West Ealing) and built in 1926. It closed in 2018 and was bought by Hayes Muslim Centre, but its planning application to convert the pub was refused. It is hoped that the Angel will return to pub use, as it is now on the market through AG&G. More information and images can be found here.

Mountain Daisy, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported on the worryingly frequent changes of management at the Grade II*-listed Mountain Daisy in December. The pub was built in 1902 and the Buffet Bar with its ceramic counter and tiling throughout is one of the most impressive pub rooms in the country. The freehold is now up for sale at £195,000 through Everard Cole with “development potential”. It is also reported that the exterior is now looking rather dilapidated. The Pub Heritage Group hopes a new owner comes forward and is willing to give the Mountain Daisy the investment and care that it deserves. More information can be found on the Everard Cole website here.

Royal Oak Hotel, Oldham, Greater Manchester (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported on the sudden sale and closure of the Royal Oak in November. The uncertainty over the intentions of the new owner has caused much concern in the local community. The Folk of the Oak group was formed and has successfully applied for the pub to be registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). Its objective is to bring the pub into community ownership, and it has been busy promoting the campaign including a recent spot on BBC Radio 4 You & Yours. More updates about the campaign can be found on the Royal Oak Facebook page here.

Travellers Rest, Alpraham, Cheshire (above)

Two rooms of the pub are currently closed after a lorry collided with the outside wall last year. The back bar is still operating while they wait for the insurance company to settle. The pub has been in the same family ownership since 1900 and is still run on very traditional lines. It consists of four rooms and most of the fittings are from a 1937 refit. A well-used bowling green is at the rear of the pub. The Pub Heritage Group has submitted a listing application to Historic England as the Travellers Rest is currently unlisted.

Railway, Broadheath, Greater Manchester (above)

The licence of the Railway has been suspended for three months and will be reviewed by Trafford Council. This is following the arrest of two men for suspected prostitution offences. More information can be found on the Altrincham Today website here.

White Swan, Birmingham, West Midlands (above)

The Pub Heritage Group previously reported on the change of ownership at the White Swan in May 2023. A planning application has now been submitted to convert the upper floors into a restaurant and cocktail bar. The new restaurant entrance is via the rear hallway from the Birchall Street entrance. The proposals involve rebuilding the toilet block, creating a new doorway in the back corner of the rear smoke room and removal of a small section of recent fixed seating to accommodate this. Otherwise, there seems to be no changes to the pub area.

Star Inn, Netherton, Northumberland (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in June 2021 that the pub was operating with very limited opening hours. It has been reported that the pub has not traded at all for the last six months and there is no certainty about when it may reopen.

Two Star Heritage Pubs

Pineapple, Kentish Town, Greater London North West (above)

The Pineapple in Kentish Town, a mid-Victorian back-street pub, has been awarded a special Pub of Pubs award by North London CAMRA to mark the 50th anniversary of the branch. Read more on What’s Brewing here.

One Star Heritage Pubs

Kings Arms, Hanwell, Greater London West (above)

The Kings Arms was built in 1930 and has an interior that still retains many features from this period. The pub closed in December and is now expected to reopen as an Indian restaurant and bar. At the time of writing, there is no news of an opening date, but an assessment visit will be required.

Other news

Vulcan Hotel, Cardiff, Wales

The Pub Heritage Group reported on the painstaking process of dismantling and rebuilding of the Vulcan (previously Regional Inventory, closed in 2012) at St Fagans National Museum in February 2021. The work is nearing completion, and it is due to reopen as a working pub in the spring/ summer this year. More information about the pub’s brick-by-brick relocation on the Mirror website here.

As well as looking for donations to fund the project, the museum is keen to speak to people with stories, photographs or objects connected to the pub. To get in contact, visit the Amgueddfa Cymru, Museum Wales website 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 Schouten