Petition will call for action to restore fire-damaged pub in Alcester
A PETITION is being launched demanding action is taken to restore Alcester’s Three Tuns pub almost a year after it was destroyed by a fire.
The Grade II listed building in the High Street has been left a burnt-out eyesore, causing such concern among residents that a gathering outside the pub is being planned along with a petition to get some action.
It will be 12 months on 17th April since the fire broke out and left the building gutted. Seven fire appliances attended but no one was injured.
As yet no restoration work has taken place and the building has been left open to the elements.
Cllr Susan Juned, district councillor for Alcester Town Ward where the Three Tuns is located, told the Herald people are contacting her about the future of the derelict pub.
“More people in the town are talking about this now,” she said. “I understand the district council does have a construction engineer’s report which they will go through with the owners of the pub.
“However, I want the council to take further action with the owners as no action was taken recently to make sure the site didn’t deteriorate over winter.
“I plan to arrange a gathering outside the pub on Good Friday or the Saturday close to the date of the fire on 17th April so we can take some action. The district council does have powers to encourage the owners to get something done and we want this Grade II listed building repaired.
“We have our food festival in the town on 21st May and then the platinum jubilee celebrations which will both take place on High Street right next to a historic building which has been severely damaged by fire.”
Earlier this year the Herald reported that the pub was the subject of an enforcement case by Stratford District Council. While the news was greeted with some relief in Alcester, residents have yet to see any meaningful measures taken or work carried out.
This week the council confirmed the case was still active, which meant it was unable to comment further.
The Three Tuns had been run by landlady Mandy Downes, but the building – and the responsibility for its repairs – is believed to sit with the owner, who is based in Birmingham.
Cllr Juned said she intends to present the petition at the council meeting on 25th April.
The cause of the fire has never been established. Previously, a Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the cause had been recorded as ‘unknown’.
