Landmark Nottingham pub to be a supermarket
A HISTORIC pub is to be turned into a supermarket, it has been revealed.
Brewery Marston's, which owns the Vernon Arms at the corner of Waverley Street and Forest Road, has applied for planning permission to change the use of the building from a pub to shop.
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Last orders: The Vernon Arms, at the corner of Forest Road and Waverley Street. The pub is said to have been sold to Sainsbury’s for use as a Sainsbury’s Local store.
And a statement on the Vernon Arms Facebook page states that the property will cease trading after June 3, as the building has been sold to Sainsbury's.
It continues: "On behalf of the Vernon Arms, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued loyalty in choosing us as your preferred drinking hole.
"But under the current climate, we have been left with no option but to close down."
Customers at The Vernon Arms said that they were disappointed by the news.
They added that a recently-appointed manager at the pub had begun putting on events to boost trade, such as pole-dancing nights and craft fairs, and that more investment in the pub was needed.
One customer, from Forest Fields, who did not wish to be named, said: "This pub has been here since the 18th century. It has served the community around here very well for many, many years.
"There are a lot of pubs going under right now, but it seems to me to be rather sad and rather tragic that this particular pub is being closed considering where it is, right along the tramline.
"It is a beautiful old building and it will be a great loss to the area."
Pete Barnes, 47, of nearby Forest Road West, said that another supermarket in the area was not needed.
"I think it's shameful. On Alfreton Road there used to be a pub on every corner, but now there are no others left," he said.
"There are twenty thousand supermarkets around here already – you can get a loaf of bread from every other property."
Kat Reynolds, Steph Kilby and Gina Omezi were drinking together in the pub.
The housemates, who live in Forest Fields and are all students at Nottingham Trent University, said that more effort should be have been made to make the pub a student destination.
"When we first moved in, we thought we would make this our local, but we haven't really been in here much," said Ms Reynolds, 22.
"This is a big student area, but they don't advertise it enough for students.
"If they had a sign outside saying student discount here, or put on karaoke or something, they would get more business."
Ms Omezi added: "It is a nice pub, but there is no atmosphere. "But I don't see the point in turning it into a supermarket. Asda and Hyson Green market are only down the road, and I think people will go there instead."
The planning application states that alterations to the exterior are proposed – including a new customer entrance.
A spokesman for Marston's Brewery said: "We have put a planning application in for the site to have alternative use."
He added no further details are available at this time.
20 Comments
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by paulmetcalf
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 6:40PM
“only ever been in twice in my entire life.full of low life from round the local area,hostile atmosphere,bad beer but any pub shutting is bad news.”
by don_swan
Sunday, February 05 2012, 1:58PM
“Sadly, many pubs have closed in the area, you only have to look at Alfreton Road to see the decline. (The Organ Grinder is a notable exception)
What is important is that if this does get the go ahead, the character of the building is not changed. The signage must be sensitive and fitting with the surrounding look. A larger entrance could be created via the car park at the back.
It is important as Radford_NG suggests to comment when the planning application is made.”
by Radford_NG
Saturday, February 04 2012, 2:14AM
“If you live in Arboretum Ward ,or near-by,& object to this plan,I suggest you write toThe Local Councillors ,Arboretum,co. Loxley Hse.,NG2 3NG.Experiance shows it does'nt do much good...but some-times a good few complaints may be heeded...especially with the posibility of direct Leadership elections coming-up.”
by NoseyTall
Friday, February 03 2012, 3:54PM
“I agree with Roome101. This is a local landmark. I used to live nearby but I stopped going in this place because the beer was naff & overpriced, there was always loud music or loud sport on multiple screens & it was impossible to have a quiet pint & a chat. The people running it when I last went in were only interested in selling factory lager & entertaining their mates rather than appealing to either local residents, students or making it a "destination" pub with any character. Poledancing is not broadening appeal, it's narrowing it. It's a good walk from there to the next nearest pubs, so locals would use it if it was worth going to. It's well situated for a community pub. It has a good sized beer garden. Having parking & a tram stop outside are big assets & make it easy to get to. Successive owners & managers have never really made the most of this place, & now it's worth more as yet another 7-11. Yes, there used to be pubs on every corner, now it's Tesco or Sansbo. If they get planning permission for change of use, that is....start that campaign!!!”
by wortho48
Friday, February 03 2012, 1:29PM
“How sad to see another beautiful pub The Vernon Arms turned into a supermarket it holds some special memories for me of a Saturday evening and the late brilliant pianist Tony Allwood sat at his grand piano playing Autumn Leaves and not forgetting the late Italian landlord Dario of the 80s Happy days such a shame things have to change so drastically . But shame on the council if it is granted planning .”
by Max_Crater
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:55PM
“ROOME101
Of course ethnic minorities smoke but I've never seen a great many frequenting community pubs. Just as I've never seen many health nuts either, and there was me thinking they'd all flood in once the "stinking" smokers had been booted out?
If they'd actually banned smoking, I would agree with you that it wasn't simply done to dismantle certain communities, but they didn't. They simply stopped smokers having a social life, which is cruel, unnecessary and vindictive......like you.
Oh and by the way I don't smoke you judgmental ignoramus but a lot of my friends do and I hate to see the way they're being marginalised and stamped on by the oppressive, omnipresent state.
I'm a liberal not a fascist, unlike your good self.”
by ROOME101
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:20PM
“To max_ crater - ALL SMOKERS STINK - GOOD RIDDANCE - MY CLOTHES ARE NO LONGER STAINED BY THE STENCH OF YOUR VILE SMOKE
Get to the Organ Grinder - have a good beer then go for your tobacco fix in the area provided!”
by ROOME101
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:16PM
“The reason that this pub continues to fail is the Pubco that owns it! They could not run the proverbial pi$$up in a brewery. Any independent who ran this pub would make it a success, as they would not have to pay through the nose for the pap beer that Marston produce. They are just a greedy pub co run by accountants - and we know what their achievments are judging by the current credit crunch! Look at the Organ Grinder on Alfrefton road - lovely pub, lovely beer - not tied to a pub co but a true independent who are not afraid to put other companies beers along side their own!!”
by countytilldie
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:02PM
“max i think you'll find ethnics also smoke and work,so attacking us whites isn't really true,I for one welcomed the smoking ban,as a lot of smokers were ignorant to the inconvenience of non smokers.and to a point still are.”
by Max_Crater
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:53AM
“The smoking ban was Labour's final assault on the one group of society it openly detests - the white working class. Close down their community hubs and stop them socialising at all costs.
It's all about control and has nothing whatsoever to do with health. When will people wake up to what's really going on?”