‘Demolition plot’ stuns landlord

FURIOUS . . . landlord Alan Gibson

A LANDLORD who spent £25,000 refurbishing his beloved pub has discovered his brewery had already submitted plans to demolish it - without telling him.

The company applied to Oldham Council to pull down the Haggate pub in Royton and replace it with three new houses. The brewery said a decline in business, deterioration of the building and the success of three other nearby pubs meant the Haggate was no longer financially viable. They planned it for good next March.

Live-in landlord Alan Gibson was furious when he heard - from a neighbour - that the popular watering hole, off Middleton Road, was to be sold from under him. Alan called for help from the Chronicle as he launched a campaign to save the pub.

But the brewery says the appication wasn’t genuine - but part of a theoretical closure plan.

After the brewery was contacted by the Chronicle, a spokesman said the company had withdrawn the application. He explained; “There are no plans to close the pub or make changes to the use of the site.

“We did explore theoretical options, including submitting a planning application. The landlord was not consulted as there was no desire to actually make any changes.”

Mr Gibson’s four and a half year tenancy ends next March. He now says that despite the explanation, he is still nervous his tenancy won’t be renewed and he will be asked to leave. The brewery has already turned down two offers from him to buy the pub.

Mr Gibson has run the premises for more than three years and has spent his savings on refurbishment and advertising to keep the pub afloat.

The first he knew about the plans was from local residents who were confused and eager for answers, after receiving letters from the council’s planning department.

“I’ve spent between £20,000 and £25,000 buying a new carvery, furniture and carpets, decorating and paying for advertising for all our functions. That was my own money, J W Lees paid nothing towards it. And when they sell or demolish this place I will get none of that back.

“The pub does OK — not brilliantly, but which pub does in this economic climate? We make ends meet.

“The way I have been treated is diabolical. I am still going to start a petition. Until they give me a new tenancy agreement or sell me the pub, I am always going to be on edge.”