Anger as decision allows Warwickshire pub to be turned into a home

The pub was used by local community groups including a cycling club, football club and beekeepers’ association.

Villagers complain that the pub was open erratic hours, often closed early, even on a Saturday night and had stopped serving food.

Mr Saunders and wife Sheelagh bought the pub, a Grade II-listed 18th century building, from Hook Norton Brewery in September 2018.

Tim Porter, who is a music promoter in the area, dismissed the idea that the Gate was not viable, he told the Herald: “The pub has been viable ever since I’ve lived in the village – 42 years – and could be again. The village do not understand the emphasis on viability, which is a changeable factor, as several local establishments have reversed their fortunes with new owners or new tenants – The George Inn, Lower Brailes, being a case in point. Why has there been no action on putting the pub on sale as a business?”

Richard Massey, parish councillor for Brailes, told the planning committee how the Gate Inn has been “a treasured part of Brailes history for more than 100 years”.

But he said that after the Saunders’ took it over they closed the pub kitchen and dining room, effectively halving the trading area.

Mr Saunders closed the pub completely in October 2021.

He applied for change of use earlier this year, saying the business was financially unsustainable. An independent Stratford District Council report backed that view and council officers recommended the application for change of use should be approved.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Saunders, Andrew Murphy of planning consultants Stansgate, said the landlord had more than 25 years’ experience of running pubs in the area. He added he had made many efforts to attract more customers including offering Indian food, taco, burger and fish and chip stands outside, allowing people to bring their own picnics and hosting a free barbecue.

Yet, despite this, he had only 12 to 15 regular customers.

But Darren Mellor-Clark, who lives in Upper Brailes, told the Herald: “A lot of people feel very aggrieved about the planning committee’s decision.

“If Mr Saunders feels he can’t run it as an economically viable business, why didn’t he just put it up for sale? The whole thing just feels so inordinately unfair.”

Tracy King, 57, who lives in Upper Brailes, said: “I’m very upset about the decision. How can you judge if a business is viable if you’re only looking at the accounts of the man who wants to close the business down? Why wasn’t the pub put on the market? It hasn’t had a chance to be viable.”

She added: “The Gate Inn has a very big garden where they used to host weddings, anniversaries and birthday celebrations. It will be a huge loss to the village.”

Although there is another pub, The George Hotel, in Lower Brailes, protesters say it is at the bottom of a hill and a mile away, making it difficult for older residents to reach.

Phil Moss, 58, told the Herald how the Gate Inn gave him “an immediate group of friends and involvement in village life” when he moved to Upper Brailes.

He explained: “Being by myself, this was a God-send and continued to be a central meeting point that has now been lost – a massive hole in village life.”

Kate and Toby Hynes, who also live nearby, used to be regulars at the Gate Inn.

Kate told the Herald: “After Mr Saunders took over, we’d often wander down to the Gate at our usual time but find it closed. It all seemed very peculiar.”

She added: “One weekend when we had friends staying, we went there for a drink but were told it was about to close – this was 7.30pm on a Saturday night.”

Kate, 50, who attended the planning committee meeting last week, added: “Everyone in the village is furious – we’re all angry and upset.”