Fears over future of listed pub building
● WEAVER Vale MP Mike Amesbury has raised concerns over the future of a Runcorn pub sold at auction.
The Tricorn went for £230,000 at The Radison Blu Portman Hotel in London on July 13 with the purchase also covering the bookmakers hut in the car park.
The pub is a listed building and was once part of Hallwood Manor, home to 17th and 18th century Runcorn barrister and library philanthropist Sir John Chesshyre, who is now commemorated on the building in the form of a ● blue plaque.
It lies at the heart of Palacefields next door to neighbourhood shops.
Labour MP Mr Amesbury said he is concerned that residents may have lost a vital amenity and some may be worried for their jobs. The freehold on the pub was sold as a mixed commercial and residential development property at an auction administered by Acuitus, who said the building offered rents of £6,000 for buyers.
Mr Amesbury said there were examples of ‘community pubs’ in other parts of the country that had benefited their neighbourhoods by becoming co-operatives or mutuals.
He said: “We’re trying to get to the bottom of it.
“The staff are all concerned about their jobs and their future, and importantly the local community and punters are very concerned.
“There are very few pubs round there – they’re community assets and that one is Grade II listed.
“I don’t want to see this quite established building and community resource and pub becoming boarded up eventually and another problem.
“I would like to see it remain as a community pub with some investment. It’s a shame they didn’t bring the community with them and hold an open session to look at realistic options.”