Cannock pub backed by Stan Collymore saved from the axe
A pub in Cannock has been saved from the axe after plans to turn it into a supermarket were dropped – but the future still hangs in the balance.
A campaign to save the drinking hole backed by ex-footballer and Cannock resident Stan Collymore, who is from the town, had fought to save the Pied Piper after the proposal was unveiled.
SEP Properties, which took over the pub last year, submitted the planning application in April – but the Cannock Chase Council yesterday said it had been withdrawn.
The firm was unavailable to comment as to why the application had been withdrawn.
Jason Ramsdale, who lived in The Pied Piper in Pye Green Road for more than 10 years when it was run by his aunt and uncle, welcomed the news. He wants to take on the lease himself and reopen the pub.
The 31-year-old, of Andover Place, Hednesford, has been trying to raise £15,000 for the lease, and is nearing the half-way point of his target.
He said: "It's brilliant the application has been withdrawn but I'm still trying to negotiate with the owners and take on the lease to open the pub again.
"I've raised £6,000 so far. It's hard work trying to get £15,000. I've raised the money so far through hard graft and my own savings. I'm trying my hardest to get the rest.
"I'm trying to get a meeting with Stan as obviously he could help more with the finances. I want to put a Wacky Warehouse on the side and turn it into a community pub."
Mr Ramsdale, who estimates it will cost £30,000 a year to rent the pub, has previously run a number of pubs in the county including The Doxey Arms in Stafford and the former George and Fox in Penkridge.
In December, he was exploring the option of setting up a co-operative of local residents to run the pub, which could include up to 200 people.
His vision was to keep The Pied Piper running as a pub, but also a centre to house events like coffee mornings, or a place for bands to perform and practice.
The proposal by SEP would have seen the building remodelled with a large area marked retail, including a storage room and a row of car parking spaces at the front of the premises. The first floor would have been retained as a living area.
When SEP took over the pub early last year it had not ruled out reopening the Pied Piper.
