Boarded up windows leads to fears for pub’s future
Cock Inn dates back 750 years and is linked to Dick Turpin legend
FRESH concerns have been raised for the future of a historic village pub after its windows were boarded up.
Grade II-listed The Cock Inn, in Sibson, near Hinckley, has been closed since November last year, to the disappointment of many locals.
It dates back 750 years and was once reportedly a place where Dick Turpin sought refuge from the authorities.
Jonathan Collett is a councillor for Ambien ward on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and lives a short walk from the pub.
He was shocked to discover that large concrete slabs had been laid across the entrance to the car park while the windows of the pub had been boarded up.
A notice was put up on the wall of the venue that read: “On 29th May the land owners of the: Cock Inn, Twycross Road, Nuneaton, CV13 6LB, politely gives notice that the above land and car park is private and will be temporarily closed with concrete barriers on: 1st June.
“We ask that you remove your vehicle/vehicles from the land.
“Any vehicles left on the car park on the day of closure may be blocked in by our concrete barriers and charges may apply to remove the vehicle/vehicles.”
Mr Collett said he was very concerned for the future of the pub.
He said: “It’s been a key part of Sibson for hundreds of years and a beautiful and historic building.
“It is a valued asset for the community and must remain a pub.
“We owe it to future generations to protect and conserve this building and hub of our village and wider area.
“We are doing everything we can to keep this local asset and have asked the council’s conservation officer to look into what has happened.”
The Cock Inn is owned by Star Pubs and Bars, which is part of the Heineken group.
A spokesperson said: “We are looking to reopen the pub as soon as possible - this is subject to the appointment of a new operator and possible works that might be needed.
“Clearly this is dependent upon Government guidelines around Covid19 so we are unable to advise on timescales at the current time.”
The idyllic thatched pub had its history proudly displayed for all to see on a wooden board inside.
On it was inscribed: “One of the oldest inns in England built in about 1250 AD, it witnessed the preparation and aftermath of the Battle of Bosworth Field and the death of Richard III and the start of the Tudor reign.
“The notorious highwayman Dick Turpin would return here after working the Watling Street, taking refuge in the bar chimney, stabling his horse in the cellar when pursuit was close at hand.
“The lawn at the rear was the site of a cock pit as recently as 1870.
“The inn owned by the church with a six day licence was sold in 1935. A seven day licence was granted in 1954.
“Existing stabling was converted in 1960 into the stable grill.”
A group has been created on Facebook, entitled The Cock Inn Sibson community page.
One person posted on the page: “The Cock Inn has been part of my life since I was about eight years old.
“My grandparents and family often met up here for Christmases and birthdays, it was our family pub, and our children have grown to love it as it became a place they celebrated family occasions with their grandparents and my cousins and aunts and uncles.
“I feel very sad that it’s closed and hope it will reopen and not become a house, as many village pubs do.”
An application has also been filed with the council to make the pub an asset of community value.
The owner of such an asset has to inform the local authority if they intend to sell it, giving a qualifying community group the opportunity to try and raise the funds to buy it.