Willenhall pub finally wins go-ahead for refurbishment
A real ale pub in Willenhall hit by the Covid lockdown has been handed a boost with its refurbishment plans finally given the go-ahead.
The Robin Hood, in The Crescent, will see its public bar extended, along with other improvements including a new canopy over an outside seating area, enhanced porch entrance and disabled toilets.
Owners Black Country Traditional Inns had originally put the application with Walsall Council planners in 2019 but finally got approval this week after overcoming objections raised.
Bosses said the changes will give the “important community facility” the ability to improve its situation in the current climate.
Among the concerns from neighbouring residents were a potential loss of a public right of way, proximity of the beer garden to their homes and impact on trees and wildlife.
But the company addressed concerns to allay fears and the proposal has now been supported by planning officers.
Traditional
When the application was first submitted in April 2019, agents Maple Design said the Robin Hood is operated as a traditional pub serving real ales.
They said: “Our clients are a successful real ale pub company and carry out renovations to run down/closed public houses throughout the Black Country.
“This property was saved some years ago and is now a successful outlet following several internal refurbishments and upgrades.”
Julian Philcox, director of JP planning, said: “The proposals in the round are comprised of quite small, straightforward elements, designed to improve the offer at this important community facility.
“It does not need saying that the hospitality sector has seen decline in recent years, and 2020 has been challenging to fatal in economic terms for the wider industry and many such individual establishments.
“The proposals are designed to improve the position for this establishment, an important community facility.
“I am not in the business of running public houses, but Black Country Inns are, and they are seemingly good at it, having ‘saved’ many pubs and striving to keep existing ones viable.”
