NEWS
News about our local pub and other pubs in similar situations.
See also our Press page for media reports and articles.
Help us create a community garden!
The space behind the pub, on which the neighbouring houses border, is woefully overgrown. A wildlife expert has viewed it and advised us that there is no reason not to clear the brambles (now that bird nesting season is over), as they do not provide a quality habitat for wildlife.
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We have plans to create a community garden for local residents to enjoy. We need permission from the council to work on it but we also want local residents to join us to plan how it could be used.
Our pub is back on the market!
The Giant Goram has recently been removed from the auctioneer, Hollis Morgan’s books and returned to the commercial estate agent, Sydney Phillips. There is a listing on their website, which clearly states that planning permission for development has been refused. The guide price is £349,000, which is almost twice what it’s worth.
Lawrence Weston's last pub vandalised again!
The Giant Goram was recently targeted yet again with further damage done and doors left open. The owners, whilst not appearing to care about the building, have at least had the fencing repaired. How long this will remain intact and how long it will be before another break in takes place, is anyone’s guess.
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The bigger worry is how long it will be before superficial damage becomes structural damage and leads to an excuse to demolish the building. We are in touch with the council to ask them to enforce their powers as planning authority, by at least reminding the owners of their responsibility for maintaining a local community asset.
Rhubarb Tavern set to reopen
This pub in Barton Hill, has been closed since 2020. However local residents have fought to get it reopened and it now has tenants who are getting it ready for opening. Read more.
Giant Goram becomes a film set - again!
Back in April, the Giant Goram was one of the locations for the filming of new season of Stephen Merchant’s comedy thriller, The Outlaws. Jo went along to chat with the crew, who were friendly and positive about our vision to open a community pub. Season 3 is due out next year so keep and eye on the closing credit for an acknowledgment of our campaign.
Merchants Arms - saved from conversion
This pub just off the M32, in Stapleton, has been closed since 2017. The current owner wants to turn it into flats/Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs).
Local residents have been fighting to protect its status as a pub. Recently, at an appeal, the Planning Inspectorate turned down the owner’s request and stated the Merchant’s Arms is a public house and should remain so. Read more
At present, there are no plans to reopen the Merchant's Arms but this appeal decision emphasises the decision made by the Planning Inspectorate , about the Goram, that the loss of a pub is harmful to a local community.