People in Hucknall have been left 'devastated' over plans which have been passed for a local pub. Proposals to convert The Portland Arms, in Annesley Road, into three flats have recently been given the go-ahead by Ashfield District Council.
After closing down many times over the past five to ten years, the pub closed its doors for good in December 2020. The plans, which have been approved, are to create two studio flats and a one two-bedroom apartment.
Despite months having passed since it closed, residents remain sad at the loss of the pub. Sean Munk, a courier from Hucknall, said the community had been left upset.
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The 32-year-old said: “It was my local, a lot of people are very devastated it shut down. A lot of people are upset. It’s a little local pub. The older people have to trek to Hucknall now. For us it’s not that far but for older people it’s an effort.”
The application was put forward by the owner and former proprietor of the pub. Another resident, June Babell, who is 68 and lives in Hucknall, shared some memories of the pub. She said it was a shame it will become flats.
Mrs Babell said: “I’d rather it be a pub. Years ago I used to come in. I was on the ladies' darts team, there was a men's darts team as well. It was a really busy pub but that was about 20 years ago. But now there’s little trendy places for gin.
"It’s a shame, I think it would be better as a pub but, on the other hand, I’d rather it be flats than empty. It is a shame." She added: “There’s history, in fact my wedding reception was here.
"They had an upstairs, it had a room at the back, this was about 40 years ago. It’s a shame. It is a bit of an eyesore. It was lovely, it was a really nice family pub.
"We have lost a lot of pubs, they used to start at this one and work their way around and back here for the last drink before you go home. It’s a really nice pub, it was a lovely pub through all generations.”
However, another local resident, Patricia Pears, told Nottinghamshire Live that the flats were a good idea. The 68-year-old said: “People are looking for accommodation. If it helps them, everything like that helps. It is a bit noisy, that is probably what would be an issue , it would be the noise, cars come down, as from that it’s alright.”
The plans for the pub were put forward by David Adams. It was reported last year that the building had been put up for sale. The former pub has had an interesting recent history. It was designated an "asset of community value" by Ashfield District Council in 2016, but by January 2018 campaigners were fighting to save it from closure when the owner wanted to convert it into flats, reported Nottinghamshire Live. At the time it was described as a 'rough and ready' pub but, because of its specially protected status, community groups had to be given the chance to keep the pub running.
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