A historic pub building in Stoke-on-Trent is going under the hammer in a bid to attract a new developer to breathe life into the property.
The former Barrel public house in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, will appear in an online property auction next week. Auctioneers say it has the potential to be a commercial or residential development to serve the local community.
With a long history in Tunstall, the Barrel – previously known as the Crown and Anchor Inn – has a guide price of £200,000. It will feature in the auction to be held by Pugh on June 19 alongside other properties and plots of lands.
Edward Feather, from auctioneer Pugh, said: “The UK has lost more than 3,000 of its pubs over the last six years. Not all of them have seen successful redevelopments but the Barrel pub in Tunstall has great potential due to its prime location, right in the busy town centre and surrounded by local shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs.”
It comes as there are plans to breathe new life into one of city’s oldest public houses.
The Leopard, in Burslem, is a grade II listed building dating back to 1765 which has been closed since it was ravaged by fire in January 2022.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council say they are now working closely with the owner and Historic England to bring forward a detailed planning application and see it brought back into use to the benefit of local residents.
A council spokesperson said: “This building is of significant historical importance to the local community, and once hosted a meeting between Josiah Wedgwood and James Brindley, so we are committed to ensuring its historical characteristics are preserved for future generations.”
