HISTORIC CITY PUB PUT UP FOR SALE

A HISTORIC Coventry pub is on the market, months after a demolition bid was refused.

The Grapes pub in Radford closed its doors in May 2019, after plans to demolish the building and replace it with 33 apartments were revealed.

But the proposal was met with a great deal of opposition, with many, including formal locals, launching the Save the Grapes group.

And the group’s objections proved to be a success, as the planning application was refused by Coventry City Council.

Now, the pub is on the market, once again.

Brought to market by Bromwich Hardy, it is on sale for “offers in excess of £720,000”.

Located on Radford Road at the junction for Fynford Road, The Grapes is a pub that has stood in place since 1932 - though the pub itself is a lot older.

What’s more, it is stood on a fairly sizeable chunk of land - with plenty of garden space at the rear.

As part of the campaign to save the pub from demolition last year, the building was added to the council’s Asset of Community Value list in June.

This means that the new owner would have to use the building as either a pub, restaurant, or as a community asset.

As for the building itself, the property brochure says that though the pub was in use until mid-2019, it is “in need of significant refurbishment, repair, and modernisation”.

It is a three storey building, along with a basement ara.

The ground floor is currently set up with a bar and two lounge areas, along with bathrooms, food preparation areas and more.

Upstairs there is a club room, and accommodation, which extends to the top floor.

There is said to be plenty of parking to the front, and plenty of garden space to the rear.

Last year, plans were submitted to Coventry City Council to demolish the Grapes and replace it with 33 apartments. According to planning documents, these flats would not be for students.

Instead, the 33 apartments - a mix of one and two bedroom properties are being proposed with a mixture of single residents, couples, and small families in mind.

But the plans immediately attracted criticism, and with a deadline of May 29 to object to the application, the Save The Grapes campaign was launched.

And before the decision deadline has even been reached, the pub was shut on short notice on May 3, taking locals by surprise.

But the campaign proved to be successful, after the council rejected the plans.

In a report, head of planning Tracy Miller said “there is no justification for the loss of the building”, noted as a heritage asset and a community facility.

She also cited concerns over highway safety, flooding, design, ecology, a lack of affordable housing, and unsuitable infrastructure.