THE crusade to save a much-loved pub has won the support of MPs from across the UK after campaigners took their fight to the Houses of Parliament.

Hanley's under-threat Coachmakers Arms has become the first bar in the country to win the official backing of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group.

Licensees Jason Barlow and Sue Grocott travelled to Westminster yesterday to tell members of the 75-strong group of MPs, which is trying to change laws to make it tougher for councils to close community pubs, how its campaign has been run.

Mr Barlow also delivered a 10,500 signature petition to the group, names that will be added to those who have already signed an on-line petition supporting the pub.

The Coachmakers faces demolition under plans to create a new East West Centre. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has already given outline planning permission for the scheme.

Mr Barlow said: "We've been clear since the beginning of our 16 month campaign that we are not doing this to save our business.

"The pub we are trying to save is 160 years old and the only thing that's changed in that time is the paint.

"We're trying to save what that pub means to the community and what it will mean to the future community – pubs are a vital part of the British establishment."

Accepting the petition, group chairman Greg Mulholland praised the Coachmakers Arms campaign and said that people battling to save pubs around the country should follow its example.

He said: "We want to do whatever we can to support local communities fighting pub closures up and down the country.

"When we heard of the wonderful campaign they have run, and of the importance of the pub in their area, we were only too happy to back it.

"It seems a travesty that a historic pub that is so crucial for people in Hanley could be considered for demolition."

Developer Realis Estates wants to demolish the pub to make way for the £256 million retail and leisure complex.

Outline plans involve the demolition of the pub and neighbouring businesses, as well as the adjacent Birch Terrace.

Campaigners want the Lichfield Street pub to be retained alongside the retail scheme but developers it is not possible.

Now, the Save the Coachmakers Arms action group is attempting to have the planning decision called in by the Department for Communities and Local Government – which could override the local authority.

Mr Barlow said: "We have made several requests to get the plans called in and we're waiting to see what happens next.

"We had a great response at the Westminster meeting, winning support of the MPs, and we've also swapped tips with some of the other campaign groups that went along as well.

"We've come out feeling very positive and as though we know that at least someone is listening to us."