Express & Star

Supermarket launches appeal in bid to takeover Tipton pub site

Supermarket bosses have launched an appeal to overturn a Black Country council’s decision to reject proposals to turn a popular pub into a food store.

Published
Last updated
The Sportsman pub, in Tipton

Sandwell Council’s planning committee refused Heron Foods’ bid to take over the site of The Sportsman in Tipton in November.

Campaigners carried out a long-standing battle to save the pub ahead of the decision – with nearly 900 signatures having been collected in opposition to the proposals.

But it has now been revealed Heron Foods has appealed to the planning inspectorate to overturn the plans – and campaigners have said they are preparing to fight the plans again.

A spokesman for the planning inspectorate confirmed they had received the appeal from Heron Foods – and a decision is expected on the appeal by July.

Changes

The Sportsman has been open for around 50 years and is owned by New River Retail, which has overseen changes of many of its pubs to shops in recent years.

Phil Arnold, who runs the pub with his son Ross, said: “They will have a fight on their hands if they are appealing the decision – the people of Tipton don’t want a Heron Foods.

“We do a lot of charity work through the pub, so we have a lot of help and support through that. We will have the same backing as we did last time. We will definitely fight this appeal.”

Campaigner James Marsh said: “We will fight this appeal all the way. We are trying to arrange a public meeting now to get the community involved in campaigning against this appeal again.

“The Sportsman is somewhere that means a lot to the community of Tipton. We need to keep it open.”

Steve Causer, who has been using the pub for around 37 years, added: “We will fight these proposals again. We are all determined to keep the Sportsman open and running as a pub.”

A spokesman for Heron Foods said they would not be commenting on the appeal.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.