THERE is a growing sense of frustration in Alcester that work to restore an historic town centre pub has still not started more than three years since it was catastrophically damaged by fire.
The Grade II-listed Three Tuns which occupies a prominent position on High Street has been left a ‘blot on the landscape’ and surrounded by scaffolding after the fire in April 2021 left the building a gutted wreck.
The long-running saga has seen the 17th Century property the subject of a live enforcement case by Stratford District Council (SDC) since October 2021 but has seen little real progression apart from a temporary plastic roof installed to protect the exposed interior from the elements.
Following a formal application for listed building consent received by SDC last August, planning permission for the restoration was granted to the building’s Birmingham-based owner, Akaal Singh Sidhu on December 7, 2023.
A significant condition of the permission was that repair works including an archaeological building record should be commenced within nine months of the decision. This date expired a week ago – Saturday, September 7.
Aerial view of the Three Tuns and Talbot Cottage to the rear showing the temporary roof. Photo: Sheldon Bosley Knight.
Ward member for Alcester East Councillor Susan Juned, who has been campaigning to get work started for more than two years, said: “The owner and agent of this site must start serious work on this derelict site and not delay any further the work required to bring the building back into proper use.
“The state of the building is affecting the amenity of the town, affecting neighbouring businesses and is an eyesore that needs remedying. We look forward to seeing work begin.”
She told the Standard that she and other residents would be checking the site to see if work had begun and would notify SDC of their findings.
Talbot Cottage, a semi-detached property adjoined to the rear of the pub was also badly damaged in the fire which saw seven fire crews from three brigades tackle the incident.
Talbot Cottage, rear of the Three Tuns during the fire in April 2021. Picture by Lise Evans
A representative acting for the owners told the Standard they had received an email in May from a firm of building surveyors – Bedfords Surveyors – to say that they had now got tenders for the repairs and were discussing them with the owner and insurers.
They were under the impression that a site meeting to discuss a joint strategy to tackle the repairs would be forthcoming during the summer but have heard nothing since.
The individual who asked not to be named said: “We are very disappointed that we have not yet been invited to a site meeting to discuss the renovation of the common roof to Talbot Cottage. We hope that this meeting will take place very shortly.”
The Standard has approached Bedfords Surveyors for confirmation that work had started but they declined to give a comment.
When approached for a statement a spokesperson from SDC also declined to provide a comment and said that this was due to the Three Tuns still being a live enforcement case.
Proprietor of Orangemabel tearooms, Jayne Roberts also added to the growing voices of disquiet. She said: “We have had a busy summer in the High Street with lots of out-of-town and overseas visitors. These are people who choose to come to Alcester because of the lovely Tudor and Georgian buildings.
“For another summer to have come and gone, it’s just so detrimental to the hard work businesses put in to making the destination the beauty spot it is.
“The Three Tuns is a blot on the landscape we feel forgotten and let down by the lack of enforcement on this once busy hub. Someone, somewhere needs to take responsibility.
The Three Tuns pub in April 2021 before the fire took hold. Picture by Lise Evans
Three Tuns timeline:
- April 17, 2021 – fire crews from three areas battle to control a blaze that broke out at about 2.30pm at the popular real ale pub.
- October 2021 – Three Tuns subject to a live enforcement notice by Stratford District Council, the local planning authority.
- April 17, 2022 – One year since Three Tuns destroyed by fire. Petition launched to demand action.
- August 2022 – Strip-out works completed to allow a structural survey.
- February 2023 – Temporary plastic roof installed over the building and part of Talbot Cottage, stabilisation brackets installed to the party wall with the shop next door. Architect’s drawings for the building’s restoration prepared and sent to a consultant to assist with the preparation of a heritage statement document.
- April 17, 2023 – Two years since Three Tuns destroyed by fire.
- August 16, 2023 – Planning permission submitted to SDC.
- December 7, 2023 – Planning permission given with conditions including that an archaeological building record be carried out prior to commencement of any works no later than nine months from the date of permission.
- April 17, 2024 – Three years since Three Tuns destroyed by fire.
- May, 2024 – Tenders received by Bedfords Surveyors for restoration works.
- September 7, 2024 – Planning permission expires.
Alcester High Street in May 2024. Picture by Lise Evans
