Pulling together to save oldest pub

Drinkers at West Bromwich's oldest pub have launched a petition to try to save it from the bulldozer. The Sow & Pigs in Hill Top is being eyed-up by developers.

They want to demolish the building, which dates back to 1726, and build four semi-detached houses in its place. Angry regulars have joined forces with the landlord, local historians and councillors in a determined bid to save it for posterity. They are now asking people to bombard Sandwell Council's planning committee with letters of objection.

"I'd be absolutely devastated if it went," said landlord Paul Wood, who has been at the helm since 2000.

"I'd lose my business, my home and my local all in one fail swoop. This is the oldest pub in West Bromwich – they shouldn't be able to just pull it down."

The 49-year-old said the pub, owned by Banks's Brewery, had "a lot of soul" and its demise would be another nail in the coffin of the traditional pub.

"Once a place like this has gone you can never ever replace it," he added.

"You can't rebuild history. It's a friendly, family pub and one of the few old traditional pubs that are left."

Historian Sue Carr grew up opposite the Sow & Pigs. She said: "There is so little left of West Bromwich's industrial and pre-industrial past left standing, and indeed precious little pertaining to the late 18th century and late Georgian period.

"It would be criminal to demolish a perfectly sound building." Black Country historian Carl Chinn is also giving his backing to the campaign.

Pub regulars Eddie Baggott and Bill Thandy have been visiting the pub for almost 60 years between them. "I'll come in here at the weekend and for a couple of pints after work," said builder Eddie, 46. "It's a brilliant atmosphere, it'd be a shame to see it go."

Hill Top handyman Bill, 61, said: "I've been coming here on and off since I was 18. It's scandalous what's happening.

"There isn't going to be much left of the past soon. My grandparents used to come here and I think they'd turning in their grave."