Duke of York pub in Grindleton could become a home

The Duke of York Pub in Grindleton is a Grade II-listed building which came into use as an inn in the early 19th century.

A statement submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council said the pub is “not a viable business” and the proposal to change the use of the building to a dwelling will provide it with “optimal viable use”.

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The building has not been in use as a pub since 2017.

The statement said: “The Duke of York as a public house is not a viable business.

"The proposal to change the use of the building to one dwelling will provide the optimal viable use for the property with minimal physical changes to the listed building.

The Duke of York pub, Grindleton (Image: Judith Douglas Town Planning Ltd)

“Whilst the change of use will result in the use as a public house ceasing, the use as a public house has been inactive since 2017.

"The property has been offered for sale for various periods since 2017 and is still on the market.

“To increase the attractiveness of the property as a business, planning permission and listed building consent was obtained to widen the potential income streams through the provision of a café alongside the public house, bed and breakfast accommodation, and holiday lets.

"A suitable buyer has not been found.”

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Planning permission for the pub to serve food and bed and breakfast accommodation was approved in May of last year, with the holiday lets able to improve tourism in the small village.

A long-running campaign was held to bring a pub back to Grindleton after it was left with nowhere for residents to drink.

Residents of the village spent months campaigning under the Grindleton Community Pub group to have one of their two former pubs, the Duke of York or the Buck Inn re-opened to serve the community after they both closed about five years ago.

Cllr Kevin Horkin, for West Bradford and Grindleton, said at the time of the last approval the Duke of York had "fallen into a bit of an eyesore."

That approval came just two months after the village got another pub back, the Rum Fox, which opened in the former Buck Inn on Sawley Road.

For this new application, as well as the change of use, a double garage and store are proposed with a first-floor playroom or ancillary accommodation.

The applicant, a Mr S Stansfield, of Billington, has sought the views of the Parish Council on these proposals and no comments were provided at the time.

To view the plans in full, visit the council’s planning website.