CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save a landmark pub from demolition are confident the venue will still be open in two years' time.

The Coachmakers Arms, in Hanley, has always faced being knocked down because it sits within the site of the planned £350 million City Sentral shopping and leisure development.

But the pub's landlord wants to re-ignite the campaign to save the Lichfield Street venue.

It comes three years after a 10,500-name petition calling for the pub to be saved was taken to Downing Street.

Philip Clarke, aged 42, who runs the Coachmakers with partner Jason Lilley, said: "I used to work at the pub and I really didn't want to see it go the same way as other pubs and simply close.

"The campaign to save the pub has been on the back-burner while the plans for the shopping development were also in the background. But we are keen to carry on the campaign."

Experienced licensee Mr Clarke says he has been advised by Stoke-on-Trent City Council that work on the City Sentral complex will start once the new bus station, on the site of the former outdoor John Street car park, has been completed in the autumn.

He added: "We believe we have another 18 months to two years.

"Anything could happen in that time. It isn't too late for them to see sense and work something out to save the pub."

Historians and pub enthusiasts say the Coachmakers Arms dates back to 1870 and was given its name by a former owner who built carriages in the city centre.

Mr Clarke, who has run pubs in London, Kent and Brighton before returning to his native Potteries, added: "I love the fact this pub hasn't really changed since it opened.

"It has original Minton tiles and not many things have altered.

"It is still a community pub, despite the number of houses being knocked down in the area. People travel here on the bus and all meet up like they did when they were neighbours."

Partner Mr Lilley believes the pub could benefit from the surrounding developments as long as it doesn't fall victim to the bulldozers.

The 40-year-old said: "We want to be here for the long-term and do the best job we can of running this pub and keep giving the customers what they want.

"Hopefully once the bus station is open that will lead to more people from outside the area being able to visit this traditional pub."

Ken Lee, chairman of the Potteries branch of CAMRA, said: "It would be a tragedy if the Coachmakers Arms was pulled down.

"It's a unique city centre pub and it would be a great shame if it was destroyed. We need pubs, not just bars in Hanley."

City Sentral, which should open in 2015, will boast at least 70 shops, cafes and restaurants, a cinema, an 80-bedroom hotel and parking for about 1,000 cars.

The council has confirmed it is in discussions with the landlord and the pub's owner Admiral Taverns.

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