'We'll be there to voice our opinions': Campaigners get ready to attend planning meeting as plans to transform popular Wolverhampton pub into Toby Carvery look set to get go-ahead
Campaigners for the Cleveland Arms pub in Wolverhampton are set to make their voices heard at a council planning meeting as moves to convert the pub into a Toby Carvery look set to be approved.
The plan would see the Cleveland Arms on Stowheath Lane in Wolverhampton converted into a new Toby Carvery restaurant, with a report being discussed at Wolverhampton Council's planning committee meeting on September 9.
The report has recommended the application is approved with planners saying the planned £1.5million makeover was a "welcome investment that would make a positive contribution to the pub’s continued operation."
During public consultation, 18 objections were submitted to Wolverhampton Council, mainly concerned about the pub’s loss, while protests have been held outside the pub and public statements supporting the pub have been made.
These include from Wolves legend Steve Bull, who said the people who ran the pub were brilliant and said it would be a shame to see it turned into a carvery.
He said: "In terms of the refurbishment, I always say to keep up with the Joneses, but it will be a shame to see it turned into a carvery instead of staying fully as a sports pub, especially as an ex-sportsman."
Wolverhampton Conservatives leader Councillor Simon Bennett also offered his support for the pub, saying: "The community hub that Wolverhampton has cherished for decades will be replaced with another identikit chain outlet."
An online petition to save the pub attracted more than 1,500 signatures and locals formed an action group to block the Toby Carvery plans for the community pub.
The group is also working to designate the Stowheath Lane pub as an ‘asset of community value’ because of its important to the area’s identity.
Campaigner Jane Hancock, who leads the Save the Cleveland Arms group, said she was still willing to fight, but was not very happy at the news of the plans being set to be approved.
She said: "The planning meeting is on September 9 at the council, so I'm going to go and see who else can join me, so we'll see what happens when we get there.
"I'm obviously not very happy about the news, actually upset and angry, but what else can I do except for keeping on and doing all I can and all we can to fight this.
"It'll actually be the first time we've been able to speak to anyone about it face to face as it's all been emails and letters, but Mitchells & Butlers don't seem to be listening, so I'm hoping they'll be at the meeting."
The report by Wolverhampton Council said: “Some current customers and neighbouring residents have raised concerns about the possible loss of their community pub to a Toby Carvery, noise from the outdoor seating areas and unloading and parking arrangements.
“The proposed external works do not involve a change of use of the building and site.
“The premises currently operates as a ‘Sizzling’ pub and restaurant. This use will continue to operate with a change in branding of the food offer to a Toby Carvery.
“The proposed works will not result in the loss or adversely impact the functioning of the pub element.
“There would be no changes to the existing external seating areas to the front and rear of the building.
“No changes are proposed to the opening hours of the pub or garden area, and the external alterations are not considered to increase levels of harm to neighbours’ amenity by way of noise and disturbance.”
The owners, Mitchells & Butlers, said the conversion would create “a community-based Toby Carvery” that would retain the Cleveland Arms name and its darts teams.
The firm also promised to continue showing sports on TV.
