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Pub that hosted Cromwell's soldiers at centre of row over 'trendy' bar plan

Conservationists claim plans for a major refurbishment of the 600-year-old Black Bull in the West Yorkshire market town of Otley are 'corporate vandalism' and will destroy its historic character - www.alamy.com
Conservationists claim plans for a major refurbishment of the 600-year-old Black Bull in the West Yorkshire market town of Otley are 'corporate vandalism' and will destroy its historic character - www.alamy.com

A Yorkshire pub rumoured to have hosted Oliver Cromwell's soldiers the night before a famous 17th-century battle is at the centre of a new fight over plans to turn it into a "trendy wine bar".

Conservationists claim plans for a major refurbishment of the 600-yearold Black Bull in the West Yorkshire market town of Otley are "corporate vandalism" and will destroy its historic character.

The Grade II-listed watering hole, with its low oak beams, flagstone floor and log fire, is one of the oldest in the country and featured in the Hairy Bikers' Pubs that Built Britain series. The Kay Mellor TV drama The Chase was filmed there in 2006.

It is also close to the site of the Battle of Marston Moor where, during the English Civil War in 1644, the Royalist army of Charles I was effectively destroyed as a fighting force by the Parliamentarians' New Model Army.

The evening battle only lasted around two hours but in that short time around 4,000 men were killed and 1,500 taken prisoner. The victory boosted the reputation of Cromwell, who commanded the cavalry under Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Renovation work at the Black Bull over the years has uncovered a wealth of finds, including what is thought to be a 17th century stone fireplace and a pump and well from the 18th century, according to the Otley Pub Club.

Now owners Star Pubs and Bars, part of the Heineken brewing empire, want to turn it into a "modern, stylish pub" with industrial furniture and open plan seating.

But members of the Otley Pub Club claim the "appalling" scheme is "inappropriate and destructive". A spokesman said: "This is an absurd attempt to turn a popular, historic, traditional listed local into a young persons' venue and dining pub."

The owners bought both The Black Bull and the nearby White Swan in 2017 and plan to transform both of the Grade-II listed buildings.

Matt Hardin, the pub club's chairman, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Both are listed and in a conservation area, so it's just disgraceful that Star Pubs and Bars have come up with such inappropriate plans.

"They are both historic pubs, both centuries old and this character should be preserved and celebrated, not destroyed by being absurdly turned into modern, trendy venues, which just won't work, as well as being architecturally

"We urge Star/Heineken to put these plans on hold and meet with the community and the excellent sitting licensee of the White Swan to discuss how they can and should work with him to keep the pub as it is, respecting the will of the community and regulars."

Greg Mulholland, Otley Pub Club's president, said: "The plans are appalling and akin to the kind of corporate vandalism seen back in the Seventies and Eighties when large brewers ripped the heart and character from so many historic pubs."

Otley Pub Club has written to Heineken/Star asking to meet with them and agree to either come up with appropriate plans to retain the historic character of both pubs or sell them.

A spokesman for Star Pubs and Bars said: "We thank the Pub Club for their feedback. We always take the views of the local community into account when investing in a pub and look forward to meeting the group."

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