An historic Nottingham pub has been given a makeover but not everyone's happy with the colourful artwork. The exterior of Lillie Langtry's in the city centre has been painted bright blue with flowers, a giant microphone and pint of beer.
But because the 18th century pub is a Grade II listed building within the Old Market Square Conservation Area and Historic England's Heart of Nottingham Heritage Action Zone there are concerns whether the new look is in keeping and fears that it could set a dangerous precedent. Before the facelift, the lower storey was dark grey.
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.
Read more: 71 Notts pubs listed in 2023 Good Beer Guide
"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."
The Nottingham branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) has also expressed concerns to Historic England and Nottingham City Council. A CAMRA spokesman said: "Major changes to a listed building require listed building consent, which has not been applied for by the owners, according to the city council's planning portal.
"Nottingham CAMRA understands the pub is owned by the Stonegate Pub Company, the UK's largest pub-owning property company. With 4,500 pubs this is a business which must be well-versed in the planning requirements for such works to listed buildings and it seems odd that permission was not obtained before the works were done.
"One of CAMRA's concerns was whether or not such paintwork was contrary to both the spirit of the Heritage Action Zone and the city's obligations in operating such a zone. The purpose of the Heritage Action Zone is to enhance the historic appearance of buildings within the zone, rather than denigrate or belittle them.
"We are concerned that pub-owning companies which fail to follow the city's planning rules, undertake works without permission and which are then given retrospective permission by the city council, may be denying the citizen the opportunity to object and potentially prevent unsympathetic development to their favourite pubs."
Members of the public are split over the paintwork. Charlie Black, 28, of Bulwell, said: "I don’t agree with it. I think historical places should be left how they are. The building should have been kept how it was."
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 approve 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." Owners Stonegate failed to respond to a request for comment.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “The painting of a building does not require planning permission in itself. The issue is whether or not the artwork constitutes either an advert, in which case advertisement consent would be required, or if listed building consent is relevant. A degree of judgement is required in both instances, so this will be looked into further to consider if the matter should be raised with the building owners.”
A spokesperson for Historic England, the public body which champions historic places and is responsible for listed buildings, said: "We have received a letter from CAMRA drawing our attention to the case and we are looking into the matter.”
In 2020 dive bar Billy Bootleggers was ordered by Nottingham City Council to remove an offending logo of its name painted onto the building in Weekday Cross in the Lace Market because it wasn't in keeping with the area.
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