A peacock has spread its wings and flown the nest to the dismay of drinkers at a Nottingham pub. The peacock in question is the fan tailed bird that used to sit atop the sign hanging outside The Peacock pub in Nottingham.
The pub, in Mansfield Road, has recently reopened following a £247,000 makeover by owners Star Pubs & Bars but during the refurbishment the colourful icon disappeared. Members of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) have questioned its disappearance.
The pub is a Grade II listed building and real ale fans claim the peacock sign would have been listed too and should have been preserved as part of the pub's heritage. However, Star Pubs & Bars says the sign wasn't protected.
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Nick Molyneux, Nottingham CAMRA's pubs protection officer, said: "Both the city council and Star could have been much more sympathetic to the history of the pub by retaining the three-dimensional peacock carving, which photos show had been in place for a good 50 years.
"Historic England's list entries for listed buildings do not simply list only those features which are legally protected. Objects, structures and buildings affixed to a listed building or its curtilage may also be protected. The pub was listed by Historic England in 1995, so the peacock carving was part of the building as listed. Nottingham CAMRA rejects the notion that the carved peacock was not protected by the pub's Grade II listed status.
"There was considerable scope for both the city council and Star to come together to ensure the iconic peacock was repaired and preserved, perhaps installing it as a feature or ornament inside but no-one from either organisation thought to do so."
The peacock carving joins a list of other historic features in pubs which have disappeared during refurbishment or redevelopment. Others include the statue of the Old General in Hyson Green and the Victorian International Time Clock from Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
Mr Molyneux added: "The city council has the power to appoint Nottingham CAMRA as a 'non-statutory consultee' for planning matters concerning pubs. This would allow CAMRA to provide formal input into the planning process, in which we could help the city council and the pubs' owners to minimise damage to the city's pub heritage. We would be delighted to help the city council in this way."
A Star Pubs & Bars spokeswoman told Nottinghamshire Live: “The wooden peacock was not protected as part of the pub’s Grade II listed status and was rotten. We have had a new durable metal peacock sculpture created to replace it, which will be fitted soon. The peacock is also presented in many other ways throughout the new design of the building.
"As to its whereabouts a passer-by asked to have it. We do not have any other information about who took the sign or its location.”
A city council spokesperson said: “Planning applications affecting pubs that are listed buildings or in conservation areas are publicised by site notice and press advertisement, as well as being on our website, along with all other applications. Our website has tools for individuals and organisations to register and be notified of any new applications that may be of interest to them. We welcome comments by CAMRA or indeed anyone else with an interest in these applications.
“Listed building owners are responsible for ensuring that any work to their buildings has the necessary permission from the council. In the case of The Peacock, the council granted advert and listed building consent for a re-signage proposal including removal of the old peacock sign in 2020 and this permission is still valid.”
Have you given the peacock a new home? We'd love to know where it's landed. Please email lynette.pinchess@reachplc.com
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