Time, please... to protect our pubs of character

Supporters of the Campaign for Real Ale claim the number of surviving pubs with special interiors in Yorkshire now stands at just 119, just two per cent of the county’s rapidly diminishing stock of pubs.

In the first decade of this century, Yorkshire lost 20 more important pub interiors, according to Camra, with another eight lost in the last four years.

Some were demolished, while others have changed use or undergone restoration with little concern for the past.

Camra member Dave Gamston claims that preserving ‘heritage’ pubs appears to be a low priority for pub companies, local authorities and national government.

Mr Gamston, editor of Yorkshire’s Real Heritage Pubs, which has been revised for a launch in Leeds on Friday, says the book is a celebration of historic pubs and a ‘call to arms’ to ensure their survival.

He partly blames a “weakened” planning system for allowing owners to convert a pub to a shop, restaurant or office without planning permission.

He said: “This, together with the depressed price of much pub property across the country (particularly in less-favoured urban areas) and wanton disposal by the pub companies, has made many pubs into ready prey for property speculators and developers.”

Even when pubs are listed, it does not guarantee proper preservation or even survival, he says.

“Much still depends on the attitudes, interests, even prejudices of local councils and their officers and the clarity of their own policies.”

The book cites the Eagle Inn at Skerne, near Driffield, and Bradford’s Cock & Bottle, as examples of how beautifully preserved old pubs can end up lost forever as a result of what Camra claims has been the failure to act to prevent unsympathetic redevelopment.

The book, which is being sent to chief planning officers and council conservation officers, calls for official bodies to take conservation seriously.

“The plea to public bodies, especially planning bodies, is to not use financial cutbacks as an excuse for reduced scrutiny over what, after all, are tiny numbers of Camra Inventory pubs; also that they might find ways, through local listing or other means to champion their merits,” says Mr Gamston.

“Local civic and amenity societies for their part might consider moving pub heritage issues higher up their agendas (as some already have) and pub users themselves can play an important role too as the ‘eyes and ears’ for rumours of threats.

“But there is a big plea. All these pubs need custom to survive and thrive. We must use them or add to the risk of losing them.”

Thankfully, things are not all gloomy.

Preserved pubs can still be found across Yorkshire, from the Garden Gate and Whitelock’s in Leeds, to Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole, near Goathland, the White Horse at Beverley and the Coach and Horses at Barnburgh, near Doncaster.

“This selection illustrates the spectrum of historically excellent survivors.

“The Garden Gate (at Hunslet) is on the book cover and is spectacular from an architectural point of view.”

Priced £4.99, the guide is available from Camra on 01727 867201.