Hope for closed Plymouth pub as residents vow not to give up

Residents say the fight is not over

A Plymouth pub could be brought back to life, despite the building’s owner still pushing plans to convert the venue into flats. One man, Steve Venner, has even offered to buy The Grenville for the second time in a bid to save it.

Resident's, along with local councillors, are determined to bring the “safe space” pub back to St Judes, after it closed its doors in June this year.

The pub's closure has caused “fractured friendships” with residents saying there is now “nowhere to go” in the St Jude's area to “meet and socialise”.

Pub owner Andrew Cotterell wants to convert the venue, but the first change of use planning application was refused by Plymouth City Council.

Mr Cotterell appealed the initial decision and put in a second planning application last month. He says the pub is “not viable”, but elderly residents, along with a community of young people are all said to be devastated and missing the pub, which was their meeting place.

Mr Venner, aged 70, has put in a new offer to buy the pub. He made an offer on The Grenville last summer, but was rebuffed by the current owner.

Mr Venner said: “My offer is still on the table, the owner is saying the pub is not viable, but I’m making a viable offer. It’s really difficult staying in touch with everyone with the pub being shut, everyone knows everyone there. I feel like the owner is trying to wear us all down. I’m trying to push forward, but unless he agrees to sell I can’t move forward.”

Resident Clifford Tebb used to be a regular at the pub. He said: “My group of elderly friends has now fractured since The Grenville closed.

"This is because they are finding it very difficult, they cannot manage to get to any of the alternative venues without help. The pub closure has taken away their independence, resulting in lost friendships.”

But it is not just older people missing the pub. One local mum said her 18-year-old son used to go up and play pool on a Monday night for “a laugh and a bit of fun”.

She said the younger people “don’t have that social aspect anymore and have lost touch with most of their friends” since The Grenville shut, adding that her son “gets sad” when passing the closed pub.

Ethan Webb worked at The Grenville, fondly known as "The Grenny", and he said it was a “safe space” and the “friendliest pub around with a great community”. He said that “young and old” gathered at the venue regularly with many saying it was “a pub you feel safe in”.

Local councillors are supporting a potential plan to get the pub back up-and-running and have been holding regular meetings with residents. Cllr Sue Dann has urged residents to “have their say” on the current planning application - which is open for comments until Tuesday October 8.

Cllr Dann said: “Local councillors are working with local residents to try and keep The Grenville as a public house. We are working within the planning process to ensure that there is a community space in the area.

"It is really important that local residents also have their say before the application closes, this is an opportunity to build momentum so if the pub does remain and open as a business - there will be a community use.”

Click here to join PlymouthLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice