The largest pub company in the UK is seeking permission to keep a controversial mural on the exterior of Lillie Langtry's in Nottingham. The bright blue artwork, with flowers, a microphone and a pint, appeared last summer on the 18th century pub, a Grade II listed building.
At the time the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) raised concerns over whether the owners, Stonegate, had applied for listed building consent from Nottingham City Council, while members of the public were split over the mural. Some said it brightened up the area, while others complained that it denigrated the historic property that used to have plain grey paintwork.
A retrospective planning application has now been made to the local authority seeking permission to keep the painting and the advertisements for local breweries, which also appear on the walls. The pub is located within the designated Old Market Square Conservation Area.
Read more: Updates provided on future of two Nottinghamshire pubs
Property consultant Bidwells, which is acting on behalf of Stonegate, argued that the pub, in South Sherwood Street, had lost money during the difficult economic climate and the mural had been designed to attract more customers.
They added: "The application proposals are modest in nature and do not result in any detrimental visual impacts upon either the host building nor the wider street scene. Within the visual context of the site, it is not considered that the application proposals would result in material harm to the designated heritage assets.
"Given the modest and appropriate nature of the repainting, it is considered that this would respect and preserve the character and appearance of the host building, the site itself, the setting of neighbouring heritage assets and the wider conservation area."
However, CAMRA disagrees. A spokesman said: "The owners Stonegate failed to apply for the required consents needed, despite having one of the largest pub estate teams in the UK and being fully aware of the rules they should have complied with.
"Painting the mural now existing denigrates the Grade II listed building, the Conservation Area and the Heritage Action Zone. The paintwork on the lower floor of Langtrys should be repainted with paint colours and a style more in keeping with a 250-year-old historic building.
"By seeking retrospective planning consent, Stonegate is diluting the public's right to comment on the development by having executed the changes, regardless of the law, the local planning regime and public opinion. By already having the changes in place potentially makes it harder for the council to reject retrospective planning consent.
"As local planning authority, Nottingham City Council should fully use its powers of enforcement to see that those who make changes to public houses without using the city's planning processes should not benefit from ignoring the rules."
When Nottinghamshire Live first reported on the mural last year, Hilary Silvester, executive chairman of Nottingham Civic Society, said: "I was very surprised to see it, I must admit. Something like that needs to be considered in its context. It's on a listed building - I don't think they have listed building consent.
"There are divided opinions, even some of my colleagues think it's not too bad as it enlivens the area up and attracts business, not that I think Langtry's is an unpopular pub. I can't say I personally like it and I don't think it particularly enhances the building. I think it might encourage a whole rash more of that. I have doubts about it.
"I think a listed building in a conservation area shouldn't be treated like this and it could set a precedent for lots of other people to start painting buildings."
Passers-by had mixed opinions. Paul Marr, a 58-year-old manufacturer, of Colwick, said: “I don’t agree with it. It’s like they’re painting over history. If they blast the painting off, they’re blasting what’s underneath off too and the damage will be unrepairable. If they want to create something new, they should do it to a new pub and leave the old ones alone”
But some people approved of the new look. Amanda Jackson, 35, of Carlton, said: "I think it looks quite nice actually. It’s a change and it brightens up the place which is something it needed." Theodora Cazoglou, 22, of Sneinton, said: “It’s just a pub at the end of the day, I don’t see anything wrong with it. I think it looks quite nice. But if they’re breaking the law, I don’t agree with it."
When Nottinghamshire Live contacted the pub, the manager said: "We are a managed house and have been advised not to pass any comment."
READ NEXT:
