Landlord shocked to see planning application to demolish his pub

A PUB landlord has reassured customers 'he is not going anywhere' after a planning application to demolish his home and business was made without his knowledge.

Terry Jackson, who has run the Olde Farmhouse Inn, Immingham Road, Stallingborough, for two years, was shocked to read in the Grimsby Telegraph, that Commercial First Mortgages Ltd had submitted an outline planning application to North East Lincolnshire Council to demolish the pub and its outbuildings to make way for two semi-detached houses with garages.

It came to his attention when concerned customers came in to ask him why he wanted to knock his pub down – and more importantly where they would now go for a drink and a game of pool if he did.

Mr Jackson said: "People thought we were closing down and the pub would be knocked to the ground. I thought the first customer who said it was having me on but then three more asked me. I thought 'something serious is going on here'.

"I was really worried."

Financial director of Commercial First Mortgages Ltd, Tim Theobald, is acting on behalf of the pub owners, and claims a letter was sent to Mr Jackson telling him of their intention.

He said the planning application would increase the value of the property, which they were obliged to do for the owners.

Mr Jackson currently leases the pub from the original owners and included in his tenancy agreement is an 'option to purchase in five years'.

He continued: "We have been running the pub successfully for two years, so after getting initially worried, I realised there was no need because I could buy the pub, which we are now looking at doing anytime now. I love the idea of owning this place.

"For now though, I want my customers to know we are staying open and we have got loads going on."

The pub is run as a traditional family venue, with live music from local performers in the evening.

They are due to open the function room, while work is starting on the budget hotel accommodation. There are plans to open an ice-cream parlour and a microbrewery.

Mr Theobald said: "We are obliged to fulfil our duty of care to maximise the value of the property for the original borrower and owner so we will always look at possible avenues to do that.

"If we can get outline planning permission it could potentially increase the value of the property but it doesn't mean we will go down that route, although it is an avenue we would potentially look at.

"We have explained to Mr Jackson our position and what we have tried to achieve."