Rhuthun/Ruthin’s chance to join the thriving micro-pub revolution looks set to be snatched away from the town before it has even begun.
Quality CAMRA-rated micro-pubs are becoming increasingly popular in Britain and—importantly—they often reuse empty and forlorn shop units on our high streets. In general, the pub trade is struggling but micro-pubs are bucking the trend.
In Rhuthun, even before the county council considered an application for proposed Well Street premises, it appears that a covenant on the building looks set to put paid to the idea. This is a shame: Ruthin has a good reputation in terms of the assortment of hostelries it offers and this rather unique addition would have enhanced it further. As the micro-pub did in Yr Wyddgrug/Mold, Ruthin’s might just act as a focus for a mini-revival in Well Street.
The Well Street micro-pub was the idea of two micro-breweries, the Dovecote in Denbigh and Cwrw Iâl in Eryrys. They had hoped to use the empty former TSB bank premises latterly forfeited by Vale Carpets (who subsequently moved next door).
There are objections to the proposals from local residents on the grounds of noise and nuisance. But one of the proposed proprietors, Richard Green, has said that residents “would barely notice we are there”. He was at pains to promote the fact that the micro-pub would be largely self-policing, owing to the proposed reasonable closing time and the higher price & quality of the alcohol on offer. Above all, he said, there would be no cheap brands to fuel loutish behaviour.
All this may be academic if the covenant results in no further action on the part of the partners.
And, of course, the objectors should note that Well Street is no stranger to pubs and bars. The proposed venue is equidistant from The Feathers and the Conservative Club. On big match events, the Feathers is rather noisy and certainly busy. The Wynnstay closed in 2009, the Picture House restaurant and bar in 2011 and the Anchor in 2012. According to “A Brief History of the Pubs of Ruthin”, if you go back further, there was the Ruth Inn, Golden Hart, Punch Bowl, Cross Keys, Crown, Hand, Swan, Antelope and Machine. Oh, and the TSB became Cellar 5 and later Oddbin’s off-licence, till 2007.
What is most telling of all is that of Green’s four projects (in residential Rhyl, in the town centres of Prestatyn and Abergele, plus Ruthin), it was only in Ruthin that he’s ever met any opposition. He has offered mitigation and to speak with objectors but have refused.
In Rhuthun, even before the county council considered an application for proposed Well Street premises, it appears that a covenant on the building looks set to put paid to the idea. This is a shame: Ruthin has a good reputation in terms of the assortment of hostelries it offers and this rather unique addition would have enhanced it further. As the micro-pub did in Yr Wyddgrug/Mold, Ruthin’s might just act as a focus for a mini-revival in Well Street.
The Well Street micro-pub was the idea of two micro-breweries, the Dovecote in Denbigh and Cwrw Iâl in Eryrys. They had hoped to use the empty former TSB bank premises latterly forfeited by Vale Carpets (who subsequently moved next door).
There are objections to the proposals from local residents on the grounds of noise and nuisance. But one of the proposed proprietors, Richard Green, has said that residents “would barely notice we are there”. He was at pains to promote the fact that the micro-pub would be largely self-policing, owing to the proposed reasonable closing time and the higher price & quality of the alcohol on offer. Above all, he said, there would be no cheap brands to fuel loutish behaviour.
All this may be academic if the covenant results in no further action on the part of the partners.
And, of course, the objectors should note that Well Street is no stranger to pubs and bars. The proposed venue is equidistant from The Feathers and the Conservative Club. On big match events, the Feathers is rather noisy and certainly busy. The Wynnstay closed in 2009, the Picture House restaurant and bar in 2011 and the Anchor in 2012. According to “A Brief History of the Pubs of Ruthin”, if you go back further, there was the Ruth Inn, Golden Hart, Punch Bowl, Cross Keys, Crown, Hand, Swan, Antelope and Machine. Oh, and the TSB became Cellar 5 and later Oddbin’s off-licence, till 2007.
What is most telling of all is that of Green’s four projects (in residential Rhyl, in the town centres of Prestatyn and Abergele, plus Ruthin), it was only in Ruthin that he’s ever met any opposition. He has offered mitigation and to speak with objectors but have refused.
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Pubs