Concerns have been raised about the future of an historic Nottingham pub that has stood empty for two years. Despite the promise of a refit and having a prime location on a main road, there have been no takers for the Peacock. In the meantime, the pub in Mansfield Road, is becoming more and more dilapidated.
The pub, rated as having regional importance by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is believed to have been a regular watering hole of D.H. Lawrence, the author of the infamous Lady Chatterley's Lover, in the early 1900s. The Peacock is also the last remaining pub in the city to have brass-plate mounted bell pushes for customers to request table service.
The old-fashioned Victorian boozer, which still has many of its original features and is a listed building, has been earmarked for a major revamp by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars once a tenant has been found. At the moment, the building has grubby paintwork, exposed brickwork from a missing sign, dead hanging baskets and loose wires.
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Steve Westby, chairman of Nottingham CAMRA, said: "The situation with the Peacock is very concerning. It is an attractive Grade II listed building, located in a prime position within the city council's Arboretum Conservation Area, and has a heritage interior rated by CAMRA as being of regional importance. Yet the owners seem content to let the building become dilapidated since its closure a couple of years ago."
Dating back to 1850, the pub lounge has altered little since the 1930s and still has carved bench seating, wainscoting panelling on the walls and windows etched with a peacock motif. Another claim to fame was that it was home to the Sausage Society on Wednesday evenings.
The Peacock had the same landlord for 19 years, who went on to turn it into Nottingham's first pub to have a 100 percent vegan menu. But following his retirement in 2019 Star Pubs & Bars has struggled to find a long-term tenant. The pub reopened briefly but then closed down again.
Hilary Sylvester, executive chairman of Nottingham Civic Society, said: "I used to like going in there. It really is quite fascinating inside and very much loved by people who went there. It had a very mixed, interesting clientele.
"I think it's a great shame that nobody thought it was worth taking over and restoring. I don't think it would be a good idea to modernise it too much.
"I am always sorry when I go past and it's closed and getting more and more dilapidated. It would be lovely to see if it could find a new life as a pub."
Mr Westby added that The Peacock isn't the only pub causing concern. He said: "It does appear to be a company policy to let their empty pubs deteriorate whilst attempting to find a new tenant to take the business on. A classic example of this is the Manvers Arms in Radcliffe-on-Trent, also owned by Star Pubs and Bars, that had been boarded up for over two years and has become what has been described as a public eyesore.
"This characterful pub is also a Grade II listed building dating back to at least 1832. Village residents have made numerous complaints about the state of the pub and have taken to hanging signs and banners from the fencing which has been used to barricade the front of the building and car park."
Last year, Star Pubs & Bars outlined plans for a major refurbishment for the Peacock once a new operator was found, creating a pub that catered for shoppers, students, city dwellers and office workers with all-day food and barista-style coffee as well as a range of cask ales, craft beers, and an extensive gin and cocktail menu.
Describing the makeover as "stylish, trendy and sumptuous" it would include a botanical carpet, a mix of deep buttoned velvet-covered fixed seating and free-standing wooden tables and chairs, a stripped timber bar and dark panelled walls with framed artwork.
The exterior would also have a facelift with new lighting and burgundy and gold signage, and around the back a small secret courtyard garden has been planned.
A Star Pubs & Bars spokeswoman told Nottinghamshire Live: “We are keen to reopen the Peacock, Nottingham as quickly as possible and have plans to refurbish it once we have identified the right person to lease it. The pub is a great business venture and anyone interested in running it can find out more at starpubs.co.uk or call our recruitment team on 08085 949596.”
