Inside story on famous timber pub with hope for the future
FOR a pub that has survived 500 years, been dismantled and moved, then left derelict for decades, it looks surprisingly intact inside.
The Post was given rare access to the interior of Birmingham’s famous Golden Lion – the timber-framed guild house turned pub that became a cricket pavilion when it was moved to Cannon Hill Park a century ago.
Sadly, this fine old building has been fenced off for decades and is actually in danger of falling apart if left unattended much longer.
On Saturday, The Friends of the Golden Lion held a food festival there to encourage people to think about a new use for the building.
So far the Friends – a group supported by arts and architecture collective Re.Future – have secured £10,000 of lottery funding to under- take an options appraisal. The group believes the pub could one day form part of a ‘heritage triangle’ at the Russell Road side of the park, which is also home to the bandstand and Sons of Rest building. Ideas already suggested include a cafe, bistro, restaurant, cycle hub – or even doggrooming centre.
But restoration would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, though the Friends believe that with the right ideas it could create a viable proposition.
Software designer Jonathan Smith, who moved to Birmingham from Southampton 15 years ago, has become one of the volunteers caring for the building.
Like many people, he has fallen in love with the city and cannot understand why The Golden Lion has been left to rot.
Now a volunteer with the Friends group, he said: “This building was rescued 105 years ago, now it’s time to rescue it again.
“Not many buildings get rescued twice, but this building deserves it.”
Director of Re.Future, Lizzy Jordan, said: “The Lion is so important for the city’s heritage – it really has seen it all. But it also offers the opportunity to witness the power of community action and the positive impact it can have on entire cities.”