Fight to save the Coachmakers pub takes toll on licensees
THE figureheads of the campaign to save the under-threat Coachmakers Arms say they will continue fighting to save the pub despite giving up the business.
Jason Barlow and Sue Grocott have left the award-winning pub amid continuing pressures from health problems, rising beer prices and the two-year fight to prevent it from being bulldozed.
But the couple, who have now moved to a house elsewhere in the city, say they will continue to support the campaign to save the Hanley pub which they ran as tenants for more than six years.
The current Potteries Pub of the Year is to be demolished under current plans, which have won outline planning approval, to build a new East West shopping centre.
Jason said: "Me and Sue will still be actively part of the campaign to save the pub. It was never our business to save – it was the tradition and originality that we wanted to preserve."
The couple, and the Coachmakers Arms Action Group, have run a high-profile national campaign after learning the pub was being targeted in March 2008.
It saw the Coachmakers become the first pub in the UK to win the support of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group last year as the fight was taken to Westminster.
But Jason said: "Beer prices are ridiculous and we just can't compete with other pubs, especially the chains.
"My health has been suffering a bit and Sue has been really stressed with it all. It has put strain on our relationship so, as much as we love the pub and the people who use it, we have had to stand down."
The pub, which is owned by Admiral Taverns, is closed after the couple shut the doors on Sunday.
But Jason said: "Admiral are looking for new tenants who will run it along the same lines as we have and who are able to look after and respect it.
"We have enjoyed every moment spent at the place and appreciate the friendship and support people have offered us over the years."
The Coachmakers was the first and only pub the couple have run and they will now have a rest and assess what they plan to do next.
Sue said: "We want to thank The Sentinel and everyone for their support and we are just so sorry we couldn't continue."
The Potteries branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and the Potteries Pub Preservation Group (PPPG) have both been involved in the campaign.
Camra branch chairman Clive Ameson's opinion was that Admiral would not now re-open the pub.
He added: "We hope they get a manager in and that it stays open, because it is a hell of a pub."
PPPG spokesman Mervyn Edwards, who has also been a driving force in the action group, said: "It doesn't mean that the campaign is finished.
"We don't yet know if anyone will take over the pub.
"I hope someone will take it on and I refuse to believe the Coachmakers Arms is dead."
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by shaz, castle
Thursday, September 02 2010, 9:19AM
“good luck to them both! xxx”
by luap, buurslem
Thursday, September 02 2010, 5:51AM
“Penning who sticks his nose into most trivial articles that appear in this paper is such a great bore the biggest I and many others no doubt have come across the very sight of his name and my eyelids start closeing,Mr know all but knows nothing.take a break man and give us all one.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:28PM
“Pubs like this are part of the fabric of this country. It's a true reflection of the working classes in the potteries. Makes me sick to think it will be turned into another JD Sports or some other horrible chav shop.
Anthony, Mount Pleasant
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commented on 01-Sep-2010 16:18
When it's happened to you over the years -losing your favourite watering hole, you get hardened to it somewhat. It still hurts, but not as bad as the first time, which for me was the 'Ring o' Bells' in Stoke. Best pub I ever went in. (in the Potteries).
It turned out too -that the 'Planning Authority' in Stoke Town Hall hadn't done their home work properly -and the 'new road' that the 'Ring o' Bells' was bulldozed for -was never built and the plans scrapped.
The vacant plot of land which was left, is still there today, and is a constant reminder of 'how not to run a city'.
It's that vacant plot right in front of you -as you come to the end of Glebe Street -next to the 'new' Post Office. The 'planned road' was supposed to be a continuation of Glebe St -and on to Hanford.
Another old Pub close to my heart which the Bulldozer removed was Colin Garnett's Pub in Etruria -'The Bridge'.
That pub had become iconic for all kinds of fascinating reasons -too numerous to mention here now. But, again, it could have easily been saved.
All it required was for the Vicar who lived opposite and on the other side of the A53 -by the canal, to give way and allow the Planning Dept to remove some of his garden -of the Vicarage.
That way the new dual-carriageway could have been built a little to the south of where it now runs -thus allowing the Pub to be saved. He refused -or the Church Hierarchy refused. Either way -the Pub was the 'fall guy'. And we lost one of the best pubs in the whole area of North Staffordshire. Irreplaceable. Better by half than the Coachmakers even. No disrespect. You had to experience it to believe it. From our industrial past -the Stables and Stable Yard, the tap room, the 'Smoke Room' and the wonderful low ceilinged wooden long Bar.
In fact the whole pub had bare wooden seats and most comfortable too -made to measure 'to fit any bottom.
And, he only had a Licence to dispense beer and wines. No spirits. And packed every night of the week.
There are many others too, but it really is getting late.”
by gaz, Bradwell
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:19PM
“well said tonyjohnt. i did the same. the final nail in this type of pub was the smoking ban. shame though. Are any of those people who decided these areas are to be bulldozed still working for this city council? if not then i suggest leave it alone, too many places are being erased from our city by none residents.”
by Anthony, Mount Pleasant
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:18PM
“What a travesty this is.
The Coachmakers is one of the few decent pubs left in the local area. Serves some of the finest Bass around too.
Even though I am a non smoker myself I had to mention tonyjohnt's comment about him stopping using pubs since the smoking ban. Tony I think that the smoking ban killed off pubs as a whole and feel there are many like you who have chosen to not go in because of this.
Much as I feel Hanley needs the regeneration (the god forsaken hole) im sad that something couldn't be done to save the coachmakers. Pubs like this are part of the fabric of this country. It's a true reflection of the working classes in the potteries. Makes me sick to think it will be turned into another JD Sports or some other horrible chav shop.”