Plea to protect historic pub

A 20-page petition has been presented to council bosses calling for one of the Black Country's oldest pubs to be saved.

West Bromwich's historic Sow and Pigs, which is more than 280 years old, is under threat from developers who want to turn it into flats.

But drinkers from pubs around the area have joined forces in a bid to stop the developers from getting their hands on the land in Hill Top, by adding their names to campaigners' petition to save it.

It is believed there are around 700 names on the list. Landlord Nirmal Kumar visited Sandwell Council's planning department in West Bromwich yesterday along with real ale campaigner Keith Watkins, who is a member of the Walsall branch of the Campaign For Real Ale, which covers the Sow.

Mr Kumar said: "We had petitions in lots of different pubs. There's a lot of support.

"Developers are throwing up theses flats and no-one is buying them now. Why would they want to get rid of a good business to build something we don't need?"

The pub was given a reprieve last year when Susd Developers entered another application to pull it down and build houses. But it was withdrawn at the last moment. Susd is behind the latest application.

My Watkins, of Sandymount Road, Walsall, added: "This is Sandwell's oldest pub dating back to 1726. It is written deep into its local community" A decision on the development is expected to be made in mid-March.