Black Country pub protection a victory for punters

The Haden Cross in Cradley Heath is to be listed as an Asset of Community Value after pressure from a friends group set up by people who live in the area.

It comes after plans to build a Co-operative store on its car park off Halesowen Road were rejected by councillors.

The ACV gives the Friends of Haden Cross the opportunity to bid for the pub should it be put up for sale.

The group's chairman Tim Haskey said: "It is the first pub in Sandwell to be granted the status and it is testament to the group. We are trailblazers.

"We sent over 300 tweets to Darren Cooper (leader of Sandwell Council) and that lobbying has paid dividends.

"It is concrete recognition that the community want to keep this as a pub, so if any plans come up to change its use we will come down on them like a tonne of bricks.

"It gives us a little bit of power and a little bit of clout."

He urged other campaign groups battling to save the pub to copy the group's example.

He said: "We would advise other groups who want to protect the longevity of a pub to do the same, even if they are comfortable with the current owners.

"You don't know what will happen to you, because it could and when it does it's a ticking clock.

"It only takes 21 like-minded members to start getting that protection in place. I would recommend anyone who cares about their community pub to do it.

"We had a pub in Yorkshire who said our campaign was an inspiration to their campaign."

The Haden Cross is just one of 202 pubs bought by Jersey-based property developers New River Retail for £90 million last year.

Mr Haskey acknowledged that the threat still remained to the pub but said the community feels less anxious now the ACV has been secured.

He said: "We're a happy bunch but we're not winding down. We're alert to what could still happen."

Treasurer Jim Mumford added a note of caution that the battle was not over.

"We are well aware that a threat remains – but we are ready for any further attempts to damage the viability of our pub," he said.

"Although our ACV status doesn't guarantee protection, its official recognition by Sandwell Council will certainly help to make it difficult for developers or officials to ride roughshod over the clearly articulated wishes of our community."

Vice chairman Huwey Lucas paid tribute to the support that the group had received from not just the community but politicians of all the main parties.

Secretary Mike Shackleton added: "We would urge other communities in our situation to stand up for pubs they care for. If we can help others we are happy to do so."