Repair plans for historic Birmingham pub given green light
Plans to carry out repairs at a historic pub in a Birmingham park have been given the green light – but uncertainty remains around its future use.
The Golden Lion, a Grade II-listed timber-framed building, was originally constructed in the 16th century and once stood on Deritend High Street, Birmingham.
Due to concerns about its condition, the building was dismantled and re-erected in Cannon Hill Park in south Birmingham back in 1911.
Most recently used as a cricket pavilion, it has been unoccupied for more than 20 years and is now in a state of disrepair, currently scaffolded and cordoned off from the public.
However, the Labour-run city council has approved plans for a programme of repairs for the building to be carried out amid hope the works would help preserve part of the city’s heritage and avoid ‘future costly repairs and upkeep’.
But the long-term use of the building still remains uncertain, while a council meeting heard yesterday (August 11) that more funding will be needed for its restoration.
Eddie Curry, interim head of parks, told the council’s trusts and charities committee yesterday: “The restoration… is well overdue, the building has actually been in a very poor condition for many years.
“It’s actually costing the council money to continue to make it safe and secure.”
On the current repair proposals, he continued: “What this restoration work doesn’t do is make the building usable, but... it makes it secure and watertight.
“It does halt the future decline of that building any further, but there will need to be a future business case and more funding needed at some point that will bring the building into some functioning use.”
During the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Izzy Knowles said: “I’m thrilled to bits that we’re able to move on the beginnings of the restoration… but this is just the beginning.”
Conservative councillor David Pears welcomed news of the repairs programme but stressed that the building would need to have “people using it quickly” once the works are completed.
Mr Curry acknowledged that the repair works were just the “start of a journey” for the Golden Lion.
“[We will be] opening the building for opening days, having some guided, limited tours which will be fee-paying,” he continued.
“But I do respect the comments about future sustainability and actually coming back to a conversation with [Birmingham Conservation Trust] to actually start thinking about the next phase of restoration to bring it into some functioning use.”
The committee ultimately agreed to grant a licence of the Golden Lion to the trust to bring forward the programme of repairs.
What will the repair works entail?
A recent council report, published ahead of the meeting, said the trust is proposing to commence works this calendar year, which would include the repair of the external structure as well as the roof and chimneys.
It also wants to carry out internal repairs comprising walls, floors, windows and doors, and the addition of some new French doors to the rear of the building.
The council adds that the repair work would allow the removal of the current scaffolding from the historic pub.
The trust has previously said it is looking to work with the council and local groups to explore options for the future of the building so it can benefit the community.
The plans came as the government announced that 37 historic buildings and sites across England, including four in the West Midlands, would receive grants to help with repairs as part of a £15 million boost.
A total of £344,265 has been put forward for the Golden Lion project in Birmingham as part of this.
Heritage minister Baroness Twycross said last week: “Our extraordinary heritage weaves together the stories that define who we are as communities and as a nation, connecting us to the generations who came before us and shining a light on the pathways that brought us to where we stand today.
“We are delivering on our Plan for Change, through the Heritage at Risk Fund, by breathing new life into treasured places, buildings and monuments across the country, helping to increase opportunities and ensuring that future generations have access to our rich heritage.”
