‘Don’t let Rhubarb crumble’ Locals bid to save last pub
AGROUP of campaigners are determined to save the last pub standing in their neighbourhood from being turned into flats.
The Rhubarb Tavern is the only pub left in Barton Hill after The Lord Nelson, The Swan and The Russell Arms all pulled their final pints – but it’s clinging on by a thread.
The long-serving local closed in August last year after the landlord moved on because of the coronavirus pandemic.
London-based Natan Ltd has submitted plans to Bristol City Council to convert the Queen Ann Road pub into six flats, along with eight additional apartments in a new three-storey building in its garden.
Architect Chris Goodsall, writing on behalf of the applicant, said a number of neighbouring residents were approached about the potential of development and “none of those responding was against the loss of the pub” because it was “found to be a source of noise and antisocial behaviour”.
But campaigners argue this is not the case.
“We weren’t asked about the plans before they were submitted,” said lead campaigner Alexander Smith, aged 25, who lives a stone’s throw from the pub.
“I didn’t receive a letter and I know that nobody else on my street did. If they had asked us, we would have told them that nobody wants to see the pub turned into flats.”
Regulars say the pub has “huge potential” with hundreds of new homes set to built as part of the nearby Silverthorne Lane development.
A Facebook campaign group has been set up which has more than 200 members, while the proposals have received more than 20 letters of objection on the council’s website.
“The Rhubarb has always been the go-to focal point when it comes to getting the community together around here,” said Alexander, a mental health charity worker.
“There’s a huge amount of support in the community for it to be retained as a public house.”
The planning application, which is due to be decided by Bristol City Council, includes information about a marketing campaign carried out by Burston Cook, which tried to find a new leaseholder for the pub to no avail, it says.
The commercial property consultant said the location is “not suitable for many interested parties” because there are “relatively low levels of pedestrian footfall” and “low levels of passing vehicular traffic”.
But campaigners argue the pub will be able to generate considerable turnover in future as it’s situated near to the Silverthorne Lane development, which will bring thousands of new residents to the area.
“Developers say the pub isn’t financially viable, and of course that was true in lockdown, but with the planned redevelopment just down the road there will be a huge number of new residents and a massive increase in footfall over the coming years,” said Alexander.
Annie McGann, who heads up campaign group Save Bristol Nightlife, said: “People are fed up with their local pubs being turned into flats.
“The Rhubarb is a historical building and an integral part of the story of the neighbourhood.
“It would be very short sighted to get rid of it when the area is about to welcome thousands of new places of work and residents and a huge new university campus built.”