'We'll all lose out if our Wolverhampton local becomes Toby Carvery' - Campaigners to protest controversial plans for historic pub

The public house which is part of Mitchells & Butlers Sizzling Pubs & Grill chain is due to close on July 29.

More than 1,000 supporters have so far signed an online petition over moves to convert the community sports pub the Cleveland Arms in Stowheath Lane, Moseley into a Toby Carvery. The move has angered residents who said it was the last remaining community pub in the vicinity and they want to keep it as it is. 

However, operators Mitchells & Butlers which also owns the Toby group and says it recognises the importance of the Cleveland Arms is to the community and added that the name will be kept.

There will be a protest held outside the premises on Saturday at 10am against the change and to drum up support for the campaign.

Jane Hancock, of the Save the Cleveland Arms Group, told the Express & Star: "This is the only public house left in the neighbourhood and if it becomes a Toby Carvery it just won't be the same. 

"I can remember that at one time between the Neachells Lane junction down to Horseley Fields there were 10 pubs and I am now 60-years-old. Older people have told me they can remember when there were more than 20 pubs.

"We were not consulted by the owners before they came up with this plan. The Cleveland is such a major part of our community and this is why we are campaigning to keep it as it is.

"It has also had countless sports stars visiting here including Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor  and even the actor Idris Elba came to eat there.

"Sports nights are put on there to raise money for the Good Shepherd shelters and other local charities and if the pub shuts all that activity will stop. It is a community gathering point. 

"There are also three pool tables which always have someone playing on them when the place is open.

"There are two darts teams based there which will need to find a new home plus all the fabulous sports celebrity events which are hosted here.

"Fans attend these events because they see the pub as a safe place to visit. If it closes there is nowhere else like it around here.

"We celebrated our ruby wedding anniversary here last night, people can watch all the big live sports events on the big screens,  there are quizzes and regulars can walk in and have meals here especially those who live alone.

"If it changes into a Toby it will not be the same. They will have to book meals online to be given a 90-minute slot. It is going to cause more suffering than enjoyment.

"Everybody is gong to lose out. It will all be gone so we are holding a demonstration on Saturday. We'll be handing out leaflets, collecting signatures and waving placards."

There has been a pub on the site for more than 100 years an it has welcomed many famous faces including Wolves legends Steve Bull and Andy Mutch.

Toby Carvery stated: "We know how important the Cleveland Arms is to local people and this sense of community, including retaining its name alongside the Toby Carvery branding, will continue. Toby Carvery at its heart is a very community-oriented brand and this is important to us, our teams and guests.

“We will be investing in excess of £1.5m in this conversion which will also create more than 30 new jobs for local people.

"Toby Carvery at the Cleveland Arms will retain a pub and bar, which will continue to show football and other sports (via SKY and BT Sport) and will welcome its darts teams, with investment in proper darts lays in this area".

To support the campaign see the change.org petition.