Plans to refurbish landmark city pub with extension and giant umbrellas
A REFURBISHMENT is being planned for a well-known Lincoln nightspot that has been closed since January.
The Horse and Groom pub at the busy Carholme Road traffic lights was once the city's main gay venue until it was turned into a live music bar when it changed hands in 2007.
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A planning application has been submitted to refurbish the Horse and Groom pub in Carholme Road, Lincoln.
The venue is owned by Enterprise Inns and a planning application has been submitted to extend the pub lounge, in addition to overhauling its garden area.
The application submitted to the City of Lincoln Council states two giant umbrellas or "jumbrellas" will be installed as well as improvements made to the outside dining area.
However, Enterprise Inns declined to comment on the plans.
Regional manager Steve McKechnie said: "If and when we get planning permission for our plans for the pub, we will tell you what's happening."
ABA Architecture is the Sheffield-based agent dealing with the planning application.
Christian Moore, of the company, said: "They are maximising the outside space where everyone looks to sit when it's sunny and I think there will be more emphasis on food and dining."
Shaun Barnett, evening economy manager at Lincoln's Business Improvement Group (Big) said it was becoming commonplace for a brewery to pay to renovate a pub that has changed hands several times, in exchange for a tenant signing a lease for five years and upwards.
He said: "This planning application could be addressing the venue's shortfalls as it has suffered in the past by not having a particularly large space inside.
"And the smoking ban has seen premises investing in good quality outdoor areas so that people aren't standing outside in the cold and drizzle having a crafty cigarette.
"Having a quality outdoor area for drinking and dining will influence people's choice on where to drink."
Mr Barnett said it has been more than ten years since the Horse and Groom has been a community pub for residents living in the Carholme Road area.
He said: "Since then, it has struggled to make its mark as any particularly type of venue.
"It was a huge success as a gay-friendly bar, but then the tenants moved on to Christopher's as it is larger and it has not had success for any period of time since.
"But on a positive note, it is fantastic to see companies making a capital investment in the premises.
"It demonstrates Lincoln is still seen as an up and coming area for growth."
3 Comments
by tug wilson, skegness
Thursday, September 09 2010, 4:15PM
“The latest report into Pubs and Clubs make it very clear that the Smoking Ban is the main reason for their closure.The number of MPs that are calling for a Reform of the ban in our Pubs and Clubs continues to grow as common sense replaces Labour Prohibition. Shaun Barnett should see that taxpaying smokers should not be forced outside to have,as he puts it, a crafty cigarette in the rain. Pubs and Clubs should be allowed to choose for themselves either to be smoking or non smoking or to provide a room or area Inside, everyone gets a choice, everyone happy and the Pub can once again be a social meeting place for all both smoker and non smoker alike, the Public now demand a reform of the ill thought out Smoking ban.”
by tug wilson, skegness
Thursday, September 09 2010, 4:02PM
“The latest report into Pubs and Clubs make it very clear that the Smoking Ban is the main reason for their closure.The number of MPs that are calling for a Reform of the ban in our Pubs and Clubs continues to grow as common sense replaces Labour Prohibition. Shaun Barnett should see that taxpaying smokers should not be forced outside to have,as he puts it, a crafty cigarette in the rain. Pubs and Clubs should be allowed to choose for themselves either to be smoking or non smoking or to provide a room or area Inside, everyone gets a choice, everyone happy and the Pub can once again be a social meeting place for all both smoker and non smoker alike, the Public now demand a reform of the ill thought out Smoking ban.”
by Keith.w, Derby
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:14AM
“Enterprise Inns are not a brewery, they are a property speculator aka a pubco. They certainly do not brew beer - just rent pubs at high rents.”