The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have joined forces in the ake of the Crooked House fire and demolition to review historical pubs in the West Midlands, and to ensure those of value that are at risk are properly protected.
As part of the ‘List Your Local’ campaign, residents are being encouraged to submit the pubs they believe are of historical significance to the region. This can be done through the WMCA’s website: https://www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/protecting-our-pubs/
The WMCA and CAMRA have already drawn up a ‘target list’ of suitable heritage pubswhich, alongside the public’s recommendations, will be examined on a case-by-case basis to see if and how they can be protected.
One of the pubs identified includes The New Inn, in Erdington, where regulars are campaigning to save the pub from property developers.
Options include heritage listing, asset of community value listing, or community ownership.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: “Protecting our local pubs isn'tjust about preserving bricks and mortar; it's about safeguarding the heart and soul of our communities.
“That’s why we’ve teamed up with CAMRA to take action in the wake of the Crooked House case to ensure we do not see a repeat of a beloved pub being put at risk of being consigned to history.
“We believe we have already identified some of the most at-risk historical pubs in the region, but we need people to make their recommendations to us to ensure we are helping to protect the right venues.”
Gary Timmins, director of CAMRA pub & club campaigns, added:“The complete destruction of the iconic Crooked House pub has brought a nationwide scandal to the forefront of people’s minds.
“Developers continue to flout the rules with pubs routinely converted or demolished without permissions in place, denying people the chance to save their local.
“Community assets need support if they are to survive and thrive against a backdrop of rising costs.
“CAMRA believes it is vital that local venues are marketed as going concerns and everything possible is done to secure their future as community pubs.
“We are also campaigning to give councils more powers to save and reinstate pubs after the Crooked House incident and call on the government to use the Autumn Budget Statement to extend vital help with business rates."
As well as reviewing historical sites, the WMCA and CAMRA’s review also explores how local plans can be better utilised to protect pubs, as well as recommending an extension to the hospitality discount rate. Pubs currently benefit from a 75% discount on their business rate bills, capped at £110,000, but this is due to end in March 2024.
Alex Claridge, the WMCA’s night-time economy advisor, said: “The entirely justified reaction of both local people and those across the country and the world to the loss of the Crooked House is testament to the deep cultural and emotional relevance of pubs and hospitality moreto so very many of us.
“Whilst we will continue to apply pressure where we can toensure a happy ending for the Crooked House, I'm committed to using that passion, energy and attention to extend the legacy of The Crooked Housefar and wide - starting with protecting unique pubs all over the region.
“Whether it's demolition, unscrupulous development, predatory energy companies or continued neglect at a policy level, these are perilous times indeed for heritage pubs.”
