Pubs in Worcester should be protected says Cllr Udall

St John's councillor Richard Udall fears for the future of some of the city's most historic pubs and has called for more action to protect them.

He is calling for historic pubs to be listed or provide more financial support to keep them open after the Crooked House was destroyed by fire and then demolished without permission.

The building was demolished in August after a suspected arson attack on Saturday, August 5.

Councillor Udall said: "It was a remarkable pub, I know the pub and I have been there a few times.

"I was devastated and it is such a shame that it has happened.

"This could happen in Worcester.

"We need to develop a register of historic pubs in the city, provide them with protection by giving them listed status and provide support to ensure they remain commercially viable.

"We have already lost too many Worcester Pubs, we need to act to protect the few which remain."

Cllr Udall fears not enough is being done to protect Worcester pubs

The councillor fears the city's historic but unlisted pubs could suffer the same fate if more is not done to protect and preserve them.

However, a spokesperson from Worcester City Council said: "Councils are also able to add pubs and other buildings to a Local List, with the agreement of the owner."

Cllr Udall said: "There are so many pubs in Worcester.

"We should not allow our pubs to disappear without doing anything about it.

"It is very easy to dispose of a pub.

"It is easy to convert a pub into a store and we need to do a lot more to protect the pubs.

"We have had ten pubs close in the past 30 years in St John's and only gained one.

"It is very sad the Garibaldi on Bromyard Road is set to be converted into four flats."

Drake's Drum, The Bush and The Coppertops are just some of the pubs which have closed down in the area. 

Cllr Udall said: "We need to identify the historic pubs in Worcester which are not listed and do more to protect them.

"We should be given them financial support.

"Pubs are part of our history and culture and we should do what we can to save them."

Cllr Udall also plans to issue a motion at a council meeting in September.

Worcester City Council spokesman said: “Any buildings that are Listed already enjoy a level of protection.

"If there is a direct threat to a building, councils can serve a Building Preservation Notice, effectively giving it a Listed status for up to six months."