Rhubarb Tavern: Disappointment as campaign to save historic Bristol pub hits the buffers

A campaign to save the last pub in Barton Hill has hit the buffers as the owners have 'reneged' on the tenancy deal, according to the people who have started a crowdfunder to reopen it.

Owners London-based Natan Ltd have told local musicians Tara Clerkin and Sunny Paradisos that they are unwilling to pay for essential repairs to the Queen Ann Road pub - parts of which date back to the 17th century - unless they are granted planning permission to build six flats in the pub’s garden.

The owners have also applied for a change of use to the upper floors to residential use to create two further flats.

Tara and Sunny have already raised over £45,000 from over 850 people to reopen the pub on the understanding that the urgent repair work was done before they opened the doors.

The building has been neglected and is in a poor condition since the owners took it on as a going concern five years ago. It has been left empty without security and a leaking roof for over three years. 

Before that, The Rhubarb had been a working pub and community hub for the past 160 years. It’s also the last remaining pub in Barton Hill.

Sunny Paradisos says: “After making the target and first stretch target, raising over £45,000, the owner has informed us that they may be intending to renege on part of our agreement on the terms of the tenancy.

“We had agreed lease terms with the owner based on them doing the necessary repairs to the building, and continuing to pursue their planning application for the development in the garden, but not the upper floors of the pub. 

“This lease was due to be signed on the condition that we were able to raise the funds for our side of the commitment, with works due to start as soon as we reached our target.

“They have now decided that are unwilling to pay for these essential repairs unless they are granted planning permission in the garden, and we no longer have reassurance from them that tis development will not include the upper floors of the pub.”

There have already been over 140 objections to the owners’ plans, including from the Bristol branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

A spokesperson for CAMRA said: “A total of 881 people contributed to the appeal and 295 left comments of support, a great many of them expressing a strong desire to see a local pub reopen in Barton Hill. 

“We believe this is far more compelling evidence of the degree of local support – and thus potential viability – than the rather flimsy evidence of community engagement provided by the applicant.

“We have now learned that the owner, who had previously reached a leasing agreement with the Campaign Group and the musicians, has reneged on the deal. Since this was announced on November, 10 dozens of people have lodged objections to this application. This is further evidence of the strength of support for the Rhubarb and completely contradicts the applicant’s claims of non-viability.”

Sunny added: “We were prepared to take on this project if the development went ahead in the garden, although it would be a less than ideal arrangement and would deny Barton Hill of one of the very few remaining green spaces, but if the upstairs floors were developed into flats then our vision for The Rhubarb would be entirely unviable.

“Without the essential repair works to the roof, plumbing and electrics being carried out there’s unfortunately no way we’ll be able to refurbish the pub and go ahead with this project.

“We’re exploring various avenues and trying our best to come up with a solution, but nothing concrete has arisen yet.

“Although this news has been incredibly upsetting for us and everyone who wants to see The Rhubarb reopen, the enthusiasm and passion for community we’ve witness so far for this project has been staggering.”

The Crowdfunder has agreed to hold the funds until May 2024, at which point if Sunny and Tara haven’t signed a secure lease for The Rhubarb they can easily refund everyone who has donated. The planning application closes this week.