Plans to demolish a former Stroud pub has sparked a public outcry.
The Pelican was a Stroud social institution throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Subsequently the pub was named the Union Inn and latterly the Market Tavern until its closure in 2014, when it was sold to an investor by leisure property specialist, Fleurets, for in excess of the guide price, of £350,000.
Stroud Town Council have backed plans to demolish the much-loved landmark building. No formal planning application has been submitted, but the council’s Highways and Consultations committee approved the initial proposals, pinpointing the lack of significant architectural features in the existing building.
Current Prince Albert publican Lotte Lyster Connolly, who ran the Pelican from 1998 to 2006 with Andy Thomas, Beaver (Graham Stephens) and Ian Wood, told Stroud Times: “It was a thriving and amazing pub, so many memories and legends were built in Stroud over the years – I’m just really shocked about this story about knocking the building down.
“The Pelican is an amazing building – an iconic gateway to Stroud, it would be a tragedy and ridiculous joke after all the things that have been fought for in Stroud over the years – we nearly had Hill Paul knocked down and the shops up the high street.”
Lotte’s partner and husband Miles Lyster Connolly, insisted the unused former pub should become a town focal point, he said: “A lot of people in Stroud grew up with the Pelican and loved it dearly – the building is incredible and it seems a travesty that it’s in the centre of Stroud, not being used and one of the few green spaces in the centre of Stroud that could be a part of the Stroud Farmers’ Market, which could include food stalls – and there’s a theatre on this building, which you could do so much with.
“It shouldn’t be demolished. It could be a hub for the arts within Stroud and a a great place to put on music and have lots of things going on in the garden – there isn’t a pub in the centre of Stroud with a garden this big.
“It’s just an absolute travesty that they would consider knocking it down. Part of it’s listed at the front, so I don’t see how they can do that anyway, and it shouldn’t be done.”
Lawrence Pinkey of Setminds Limited discussed proposals for the site with the the demolition of the building seeming likely. The plans are understood to involve retail units.
Ship Inn and Old Neighbourhood pub owner Wes Birch said: “The chances of anyone taking it on, and successfully operating it as a pub are slim to nearly impossible. Especially under this government, who seem to be doing everything in their power to squash the pub and hospitality trade.
“Stroud is a wonderful place but there are too many buildings like this that have been derelict for far too long. The smaller units on Cornhill are always occupied and offer affordable rents for smaller businesses. I personally feel that there isn’t enough affordable housing for younger people. Knock it down, or develop the existing building, but create affordable housing for the young work force of Stroud would be my choice.”
A spokesperson for the town council said: “Our members agreed this site is a very important gateway to Stroud.
“The proposals make this an airy space that opens up the view looking down Union Street specifically mentioned in the Neighbourhood Development Plan as an important view of the surrounding landscape.
“Mr Pinkey stated that they cannot come up with a viable scheme by retaining the existing Market Tavern building.
“We support the decision to demolish the Market Tavern as no significant architectural features have been preserved.
“Members requested the reclamation and reuse of the existing stone on the new scheme as a nod back to what is currently there.
“They felt Stroud is not a chocolate box town and reusing the stone will make a clear statement to fit in with the eclectic style.”
In 2023 Stroud Civic Society strongly opposed the proposals to demolish the Market Tavern in Union Street and replace it with a bleak plaza exposed to the traffic on both London Road and Cornhill.
“Has someone taken leave of their senses?” expostulated Stroud Civic Society chair, Juliet Shipman. “Not only is the Market Tavern, which the developer is proposing to demolish, in the Central Stroud Town Conservation area, but it is listed as a Local Heritage Asset by Stroud Town Council. It is also immediately opposite a Grade-II listed building, Frome House (now a dentist’s surgery), and close to the attractive redbrick Baptist Church Hall, which is also listed as a local heritage asset.
“This proposal is located in a key part of one of Stroud’s most attractive and interesting streets. Moreover, the Market Tavern plays a key role in one of the most famous views in Stroud, frequently used to advertise its historic charms. From the top of Union Street the visitor can gaze out past the Ale House, the Baptist Church Hall, the columns fronting Cornhill Market and the flank of the Market Tavern to the green slope of Rodborough Hill beyond. Why ruin one of the streets that contributes so much to the character of Stroud’s historic townscape?”
The response to Stroud Town Council’s consultation exercise about the developer’s three options is overwhelmingly negative, both about the quality of the proposed new buildings and the new ‘gateway’ plaza, but above all about the proposal to demolish the existing building in the first place.
‘Why tear down a beautiful period building? Stroud is a small market town and this proposal could be anywhere.’
‘It would be an enormous shame to destroy the characterful building that is clearly “of its place” with these generic shoeboxes.’
‘The existing building is a beautiful structure with a mix of neatly dressed stone and rubble stone walls that have evolved over the years. The sash windows, chimneys and details such as the old-school road sign lend it real character. I really value the current building and would be saddened to see it destroyed and replaced with this pile of boxes.’
‘The existing building should be repaired and restored.’
‘The town’s existing historic architecture forms part of the attraction for visitors. The farmer’s market would be best served by a London Road closure on market days and would be helped by opening up the former pub garden as an open space, facing Union Street, which would then be separated from the road. The existing pub building should be preserved.’
‘Keep it as is, the building is lovely and the density and character of the town centre should be preserved! But renovate it, we need more pubs in the town centre anyway.’
The Local Heritage Asset entry records it as: ‘A late Georgian building, constructed after 1819. Originally the London Road frontage was part of a terrace of four houses extending towards Cornhill. The pub was renamed the Market Tavern in 2012. It had previously been the much loved Pelican Inn, and prior to that the Union Inn. It had the last “Men Only” bar in Stroud until the 1970s.’
