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Tom re-elected as Lib Dems make gains
Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
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Shock as High Grove Pub closes
by Lib Dem Team on 15 June, 2016
The Lib Dem team were shocked to be told that Hydes have – apparently – closed the High Grove pub on Silverdale Road.
We learnt of Hydes intentions last year and, through the council, used the one power we have: to make the pub an Asset of Community Value. This is a new law (from 2011) that gives local councils some powers. It means that if Hydes want to sell the pub, there’s a six-month gap to give local community groups the opportunity to put in a bid. The law is limited though – Hydes don’t have to accept the community bid, even if it’s the highest!
The use of the Asset of Community Value rules was quite ground-breaking. Hydes appealed against the councillors’ decision but their appeal was rejected – we got the six months!
A Community Group – Save the High Grove – put in a lot of work and, impressively, came up with a workable business plan to take over the pub as a going concern, including the money to do it.
At first Hydes appeared to be considering this deal. Then we were told that the whole thing was off and the pub had a reprieve – it would be staying open for at least two more years.
So it was a shock when we found out just this week that the pub looks to have closed its doors for good, and that they’ve done it on the quiet rather than properly informing everyone.
We would like to thank the Save the High Grove group who have put a lot of work into coming up with a viable plan for the pub.
Hydes’ former plan was to sell off the site for new housing – we don’t know if that plan remains or if they now intend something different for the site.
12 Comments
Terrible the way Hydes have done this. This was a regular haunt of mine almost every weekend for the past 15-20 years and therefore a bitter pill to swallow. There has always been a tight knit community associated with this pub and the last we were told is as above, open for another year at least. So for Hydes to take this cloak and dagger approach (whilst the current landlady was away mind you) just smacks of money grabbing and a disservice to what a pub is all about, the community.
Currently there is a digger camped in the car park, so that itself should tell you the way this is going.
The pub is not about community it is a business and needs to make money, it clearly wasn’t doing so.
What amazes me is that it survived so long as it is a poor position to attract the numbers it would require to make a profit
When we started Friends of The High Grove, my first contact was with Adam Hyde, who told me that if we came up with the money, we could have the pub. We came up with the money.Hydes clearly don’t care about community.The reason for the demise of the pub was the management.All it needed was a bit of attitude and produce a good product.37 years ago was the first time I used the place, and we haven’t given up yet!
Shame to see it go but times are changing – I have not been in the pub for over 10 years.
This just goes to show that ACV’s while better than nothing, are a poor substitute for a proper change in planning law to prevent demolition without planning approval. The fact that apparently a viable business plan was formulated shows that the pub could have continued in use. The only way that firms can be prevented from flouting the law is for the penalties to greatly exceed their profit. This can be financial, but I am in favour of imprisonment for the directors as well. It is up to our elected Councillors to carefully consider whether to reject any Planning Application for housing on the site. Of course there is always the right of the ownw to appeal, but at least they would be following a legal procedure. Perhaps we should have an organised boycott of all Hydes pubs and beer in the North West?
I was speaking to CAMRA about ACVs for pubs just yesterday – they are an improvement on what we had before (i.e. no protection) but are far from perfect.
Any future planning applications will have to be looked at on their own merits – we can’t turn down an application just because we didn’t want the pub to be closed.
am sorry to say but pubs up and down the country will go to the wall.As they have to charge to make a profit but in Asda while the football is on Lager and beer are only £9 for 24 cans or bottles. Lucky to get two pints for that !
And i hold my hand up as i did buy a pack which will last me thro till next weekend
I remember my first pint – 11 old pence (nearly 5p)
Those were the days my friend I wish……
I’ve been told that there is a secret ban so know one knows at the moment is that true?
Hi Joana – not sure what you mean. A secret ban on what?
If there’s a secret ban, wouldnt it be secret?
When we first moved to Heald Green in 1975, we went to the High Grove on a quietish midweek night. Stood at the bar waiting to get served. And stood and waited some more, while the bar staff chatted with regulars, serving those who had come in after us. Eventually, we just walked out and have never felt the need to go back.
Yep, I do indeed bear grudges.