The empty pub in Birmingham that's owned by Nottingham City Council

Inside The Old School House pub in Sutton Coldfield when it was occupied by Greene King, with an oak bar seen with several beer pumps
-Credit: (Image: Birmingham Live)


Nottingham City Council has agreed a new deal for a popular pub it owns - in Birmingham. The Labour-led authority owns commercial assets across the country that are used to generate revenue for the support of its services.

One of these assets is the building which is home to The Old School House pub in Mere Green Road in Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham Live reported that the former Greene King venue closed its doors for the final time on July 21.

Nottingham City Council has now confirmed that a lease has been agreed with a new tenant, although it has not released details of who that is yet for commercial reasons. Confirming the new agreement, the city council says: "The property is vacant and has been marketed on the council's behalf by its external property agents and negotiated terms for a lease agreed with the prospective tenant.

"By granting the lease, the council will reduce costs associated with the existing void and produce income towards the council's income targets... Commercial facing terms have been agreed with the prospective tenant at market rental value providing best consideration to the council."

The Old School House pub in Sutton Coldfield
The Old School House pub in Sutton Coldfield -Credit:Birmingham Live

The two-storey pub was previously called the Speckled Hen and was once a Loch Fyne fish restaurant. Confirming it was leaving the site, a Greene King spokesperson told Birmingham Live: "Closing a pub is never an easy decision but after much thought we have opted not to renew our long-term lease at the Old School House, which expires this year.

"The pub is due to close on July 21 and we are now in discussions with all of the team to look at if there are options to move to any of the other pubs we operate in the local area. We'd like to thank all of our customers who have visited us and supported the pub over the years."

The pub is located next to the Mulberry Walk development in Sutton Coldfield, which houses businesses including the Bistrot Pierre restaurant chain. The venue underwent a significant multi-million pound refurbishment just two years ago.