Pubs protected with listed status

Five pubs that were built between the two world wars have been protected from any future plans for major changes.

The Yorkshire pubs have all been given Grade II-Listed status by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to reflect that few pubs built between 1919 and 1938 have retained original features.

Many pubs built in that period have either closed or undergone major works of alteration.

Among those that have been given the 'special interest building' status is the Coach and Horses in High Green, Doncaster.

Licensee Andy Wright said the news was a boost, especially as the village recently lost its post office.

He said: "It's important to keep a good old boozer like this in its original state.

"The pub was built between the wars, and it has very intricate details. It's a bespoke design with lots of little rooms. The smaller rooms add to the overall atmosphere of the pub - even when the pub is quiet it never feels empty."

And Oliver Winterbottom, manager at the Three Pigeons in Halifax, hopes the pub's new status - granted partly because of a rare octagonal foyer - will bring in new trade.

"We've already got a good reputation in the local area. But since we were listed six weeks ago we have had people coming from further away, as they are more aware of the place now."

The pubs had backing from local CAMRA groups, who asked English Heritage to review the pubs' status.

English Heritage's Nick Bridgland said: "Generally speaking pubs built or remodelled during the inter war period are under-represented in terms of listing.

"These days finding a pub with its rooms intact and with largely unaltered interiors is becoming quite rare so we are pleased that the DCMS has accepted our recommendation."

Other newly listed pubs include the Swan and the Golden Ball, both in York, and the Beech in Leeds.