Future of ACV pub unknown after mysterious closure

By Nicholas Robinson

- Last updated on GMT

Unknown future: campaigners vow to fight to keep the pub open (image: Google Maps)
Unknown future: campaigners vow to fight to keep the pub open (image: Google Maps)

Related tags Landlord

Bristol pub, the Three Crowns in St George, has mysteriously shut up shop after almost 190 years of trading, despite community support to keep it open.

Locals behind the campaign group Save The Three Crowns recently attained asset of community value (ACV) status for the site.

However, according to reports in the Bristol Post​, the pub closed recently and the liquidator in charge of the estate is believed to have found a buyer.

The campaigners claim they are not allowed to place a bid to buy the pub themselves, despite its ACV status, due to an exemption in the legislation.

The campaign group has launched a petition to have the pub reopened​, which at the time of publishing has so far achieved 505 of 1,000 signatures. 

Pulled people together

The petition read: “The Three Crowns has been part of the community for over 150 years and has pulled together people from St Anne's, St George Easton, Kingwood and Redfield with age groups ranging from 18 to 80.

“Alongside its locals, the Three Crowns supported the local, county and national pool leagues with players travelling from all over the UK.”

It continued: “No other place in Bristol provides the facilities to support these teams. Please sign to support the Three Crowns to reopen and not become just another block of flats. Save our local pubs before we have none left.”

On its Facebook page, the group claims to know who has acquired the site and that any plans to redevelop the plot will be thwarted.

The post reads: “Just in case anyone watching this site, and we know you are, is involved with the proposal in buying the Three Crowns, thinking they’ll wait it out for the five years of the ACV and then apply for planning. We will apply to get another five years' ACV after that.”

Member of staff at the pub

A member of staff at the pub announced that due to circumstances with the freehold of the property, its last day of trading would be 8 October.

Ashley-Marie Bird wrote on Facebook: “It is with the saddest regret that I have to inform you all that Sunday 8 October will be the last day of trading at the Three Crowns.

“Due to circumstances that have arisen with the freehold of the property, which can’t be resolved at this moment in time, the current landlord will not accept any form of rent nor offer a new lease or get the pub valued so that the community can buy it.”

The Morning Advertiser ​has contacted Save The Three Crowns and is awaiting a response.

At the time of publishing we could not reach the former owner of the pub, however, it is understood the operator behind the Three Crowns owns two other pubs in the area – the Sportsman and the Annexe Inn.

Related topics Property law

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