‘Bad news’ for campaign to save Barton Hill’s last remaining pub

A couple working to save the last remaining pub in Barton Hill say their campaign has hit a stumbling block.

Tara Clerkin and Sunny Paradisos have received “overwhelming support” for their plans to reopen the Rhubarb Tavern on Queen Ann Road as a pub, community hub and music & arts venue, raising more than £45,000 from 881 donors to make this a reality.

But the couple say their ambition for the pub, which closed in 2020, is hanging in the balance after the building’s owners, Natan, informed them they could be intending to “renege on part of an agreement” for the site.

The company has submitted a planning application to build six new homes in the pub’s garden and a further two in the upper floors of the property.

Clerkin and Paradisos say Natan initially agreed to pay for essential repairs to the dilapidated building and to not pursue their redevelopment plans for the upper floors – instead, focusing on plans to build flats in the garden – so it could be reopened as a pub.

Having now met their side of the deal by raising £45,000 to fund the refurbishment of the pub, the couple say they have been told Natan will only pay for essential works if planning permission has been granted.

They also say they have been offered no assurances that the top floors of the pub won’t be redeveloped which, they argue, would make their plans “entirely unviable”.

A couple working to save the last remaining pub in Barton Hill say their campaign has hit a stumbling block

“Without the essential repair works to the roof, plumbing and electrics being carried out there’s unfortunately no way we’ll be able to refurbish the pub and go ahead with this project,” said Clerkin and Paradisos in an update on their Crowdfunder page.

“So we’re left in a position where it’s unclear the best way to proceed, we’re exploring various avenues and trying our best to come up with a solution, but nothing concrete has arisen yet.

“What we do know is that Barton Hill, as with many areas in cities all over the country and the world, face a battle for space, with the lower classes often being overlooked and disregarded, as illustrated with the unfortunate recent events surrounding Barton House and the displacement of its residents.

“With the huge new Silverthorne Lane Regeneration Scheme development just next door to The Rhubarb, eight more private residences should not take precedent over a space which could serve the needs of a whole community, as well as the wider city of Bristol. We, the citizens, must unfortunately fight for space and our right to exist in this city which is our home.”

Since the Rhubarb closed its doors in 2020, local campaigners have been working to save the pub that served the community for 160 years and see it reopened.

Speaking about the hopes to reopen the Rhubarb, Paradisos said: “Pubs are a crucial community asset. The idea of a public house is a space for everyone. It’s not just about drinking, but about providing space and facilities for the community to meet. We want to preserve that here in Barton Hill.”

Clerkin and Paradisos say that, despite this latest blow, the enthusiasm and passion they have seen for the project has been “staggering”.

They added: “Despite the ability of a single self-interested party to exert their will over us through capital and the property rights entrenched in our imbalanced and unjust society, we are filled with faith in the goodwill and generosity of spirit of the people of this city and beyond.”

Campaigners have been working to save the pub that served the community for 160 years – and see it reopened

The couple say the funds raised will be held by Crowdfunder until May next year in the hope a solution can be found. If, by then, they are unable to go ahead with the project, all money will be refunded.

Natan has been approached for comment.

All photos: Ellie Pipe

Read next:

• Local couple fundraising to turn last remaining pub into community hub 
• ‘New’ plan to protect pubs in Bristol from housing developers 
• New campaign hopes to reopen historic pub

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