PLANNING officers have expressed their regret over the loss of a historic Teesdale pub but say it would be unreasonable to stop plans to turn it into a home and holiday let.
Three years ago the owner of Holwick’s Strathmore Arms, Ivan Carter-Becker, withdrew unpopular plans to convert the inn. Mr Carter-Becker re-submitted proposals for the remote pub, which closed in 2020, saying it was unviable.
Durham County Council last week approved Mr Carter-Becker's latest scheme for the property.
In a report, planning officer Jill Conroy said Visit County Durham supported the application because the agency said there is not enough tourist accommodation in the county.
But Ms Conroy said local concerns were raised about the loss of the pub.
Ms Conroy said: “Whilst objections acknowledged that the public house cannot be sustained alone by the local residents of Holwick, there is concern that its loss would detract potential occupants of visitor accommodation in the locale.”
The applicant submitted a report on the viability of the pub, written by Dabro & Associates – Leisure and Licensed Property Consultants.
Ms Conroy said: “Local concern has been raised that the report is fundamentally flawed as the figures relate to a business which terminated its lease prematurely despite the most recent tenant having confidence at the time of taking on the lease that the business would be viable for the leasing period of nine years.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that the leasing period did not continue through to the contracted date, the findings of the report as produced are still of particular relevance when determining the viability of the business.”
The council noted that the net profit for the business between 2014 and 2018 showed “very modest returns”.
“The business has fallen well short of achieving a living wage,” Ms Conroy said.
She added: “The local planning authority is satisfied that the public house has been appropriately marketed and it is accepted that there has not been a genuine offer made for someone to run the Strathmore Arms as a public house.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that it is regrettable to lose the public house as a facility of the wider Holwick community, the local planning authority consider that it would be unreasonable to withhold planning permission to utilise the building in an alternative manor.”
The news follows a number of pubs closed in the dale in recent years. Last year plans to convert the Three Tuns, in Eggleston, were approved by Durham County Council. Others include the George and Dragon in Boldron, and the Black Swan in Staindrop.
It is estimated more than 32 pubs closed in England and Wales each month in 2022.
Blob. In the original article, we wrongly reported that The Crown, in Mickleton, had closed, but we are glad to say this isn't the case. Look out for a feature on the pub in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Crown is serving food from 5pm to 8pm on Fridays; and again from noon to 8pm on Saturday with Sunday lunches being served the next day.
