'Council let down city by not granting pub special status'

CAMRA SLAMS DECISION NOT TO MAKE THE PLOUGH AN ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUE

- By LOUIS CORBETT

REAL ale campaigners say Nottingham has been “let down” after a last-ditch plan to safeguard a historic pub was turned down.

The Plough Inn in Radford - previously run by Nottingham Brewery - closed in October, the brewery saying it had been losing £1,000 a week due to energy bills, taxes and employment costs.

After news of the closure emerged, members of Nottingham's Campaign for Real Ale branch submitted an application for the pub, in St Peter’s Street, to be made an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The status, previously granted in 2016, lasted for five years and expired in 2021.

When buildings of social, cultural or sporting interest are listed as an ACV by a council, it means residents will be informed if they are put up for sale to allow community groups the chance to buy them, with a moratorium period of six months to raise the money.

But Nottingham City Council rejected the Camra application last week after officers said the pub had no future as a viable business and that no interested parties had come forward.