Fight goes on to save pub as it goes up for sale

PLANS FOR ITS DEMOLITION HAVE TWICE BEEN REJECTED – NOW CAMPAIGNERS WANT TO BUY IT

PUB-GOERS have vowed to continue the fight to save their beloved boozer after it was put up for sale.

The Gardeners Inn in Cossall was closed in February 2022 after the expiration of its landlady’s lease.

Then its owner submitted controversial plans to knock it down and build five detached houses.

The plans were thrown out by Broxtowe Borough Council in December 2022, but applicant Matthew Eley of NG9 Developments then appealed against the decision in the hopes the Government’s Planning Inspectorate would overturn the refusal.

But planning inspectors decided the pub was too valuable to destroy when it could still be viable.

Patrons of the vacant pub, who came together to form The Friends of the Gardeners Inn group in opposition to the plans, are now preparing to continue their battle to save it after the thwarted developer put the property up for sale.

It has been listed for £350,000 by Robert Ellis estate agents, whereas the campaigners have previously offered to buy the pub for around £225,000 – arguing the long closure had resulted in the venue deteriorating considerably.

In an update, a member of The Friends of the Gardeners Inn group said: “We have been in touch with Mr Eley to express our remaining interest in purchasing The Gardeners Inn from him.

“However, Mr Eley has made the decision to put The Gardeners Inn up for sale via Robert Ellis Estate Agents at the amount of £350,000, which given the amount of damage to the inside and outside of the pub, is not a viable figure for us to agree to.”

The owner previously told planning inspectors there had been damage to ceilings, walls, windows and other fixtures, and equipment removed from the bar area during the pub’s closure.

The inspector’s report noted FTGI had produced a business plan which budgeted for £200,000 of repairs.

The building’s owner said it would cost significantly more than that, but FTGI argued the work would take place in stages and make use of resident and tradespeople volunteers to reduce costs.

“We will be issuing a further letter to Mr Eley in response to his letter to The Friends of The Gardeners Inn, in which we will confirm that we are actively pursuing our goal of saving and transforming The Gardener’s Inn into a thriving community pub.

“However this would be subject to an independent valuation,” the member said.

“We will keep everyone updated as the matter progresses as we are still very much fighting for the pub.” The Government inspector, like Broxtowe Borough Council which initially rejected the plans, ruled last month that The Gardeners Inn could work as a business in the future and that its demolition would not be justified.

At a hearing before the appeal was dismissed, the inspector heard “competing versions of events” leading to the pub’s closure. The official said the developer claimed it was in “long-term decline, with low trading levels and a limited food offering”, while campaign groups claimed it was popular with families, sports teams and local groups.

In marketing materials, agent Robert Ellis said: “Whilst the site lends itself to the redevelopment or alternative uses, a recent planning application for the demolition and erection of five dwellings has been refused, with the local authority keen for the building to remain a community facility.”

We are actively pursuing our goal of saving and transforming The Gardeners Inn

The Friends of the Gardeners Inn