Its definitely being demolished according to the paper tonight, but they are going to 'sympathetically' demolish it and try to retain some of the history. I agree with you though.
Its definitely being demolished according to the paper tonight
Slightly sloppy reporting there. Lorna rang me at work to tell me she had heard from the developers. They plan to build a token memorial to the pub. I said that a memorial could in no way compensate for the real thing.
Although the developer/owner can go ahead and demolish if they wish, it wouldn't be worth their doing it until they get planning approval for their houses. As yet, they still need to (re)submit their application, and it still has to be approved. Therefore, the fight is not over yet whilst the building is still standing.
Unfortunately, my attempt to get the pub listed was rejected by English Heritage on the grounds that all the artefacts from the ship had been removed and there had been too many phsycial alterations to the outside of the building since the early 20th century photographs. It was worth a try, I suppose.
The point is, Engineer1980, that is WASN'T a wrecked eyesore till the metal screens were ripped off the other week. It would have been possible to reopen it within 24 hours if someone had bought it to do that. Now, of course, the rot has been allowed to set in. And as for the developer's assertion that it has "serious structural problems" - that is load of bull, because the previous owners had no problem and ran their business from the premises not that long ago. Asbestos - well, many old buildings have asbestos in them; that only needs to be removed.
However, let's wait and see how the developer's application fares when it eventually come back for consideration.
It is a shame to let this building be demolished, but the only way to stop this is for someone with more money than sense to buy it & reopen it as a pub / bistro or whatever. Who is going to do this the way the pubs are closing these days?
Is there any way to get that coastal regeneration scheme involved? It doesn't have to be a pub. A museum to shipping history, Wirral life, restaurant, cafe, picnic area..... Wish I'd won that £56 million!
Youre right, why should a 'memorial' replace a piece of heritage that could be saved? I suppose any houses that they do build will have the roads named after the pub in some way, big deal! (Eastern Close etc) Lets keep our fingers crossed anyway.
Message to Wheels - if you have any more photos that you took, could you please email everything to Cllr Steve Niblock at [email protected] as he will need everything as evidence to launch the investigation. Particularly better details of those licence plates and company names on the sides of the vans. Many thanks
can't see how they will get 10 houses built there! if they do all i can say is that they will be really small, more like chicken coops!!!
I've said before why not open it as a museum? Port Sunlight have a heritage centre!! lets have something we have'nt got! everything has gone out of New Ferry now,there's nothing here anymore!! and that pub was my dad's local many years ago,it will be sad to see it go, for years and years i have walked over the bridge and seen that in front of me, it will be so strange not to see it anymore.
Trearan - The metal screens made it look like a derelict eyesore! Aside from this, the roof is ripped to shreds, the windows are smashed (smashed before the shutters were put up!) and the place is scrawled with graffiti... How on earth that could the building have been reopened within 24 hours??
To add, if you read my last post, you will see that I agree that it is sad to lose a piece of history like this. My point is that it has been wrecked by vandals and nobody in their right mind would open it as a pub again unless they had money to burn.
It was just a matter of time before it was purchased by developers who would likely make more money by flattening it and rebuilding on the land, than they would by converting the building into accommodation.
That said, i'd appreciate it if you would refrain from directing your rants at me, like everyone else on here I have a right to my own opinion!
That said, i'd appreciate it if you would refrain from directing your rants at me, like everyone else on here I have a right to my own opinion!
I concede, Engineer1980, no offence intended. We just have slightly different opionions on this one I know the battle might seem lost at the moment, but it isn't over until the bulldozers actually arrive. Until then, despite the condition into which the pub has now fallen - and more so since the screens came off which was the developer's intention - we can but hope that the application is turned down.
Granted, it is unlikely to reopen as a pub or anything else in the near future - but who is to say that in 2 or 3 years time, someone may want to make a go of it as a combined heritage centre/cafe/pub/restaurant as part of the newly emerging East Wirral Coast Heritage & Nature Trail. I, and many others think, that allowing the building to be demolished now, when it is at its most vulnerable, is a bit premature.
