The "new" Bear inn.

1JKz

Well-Known Forumite
Unbearlievably tacky.

Sign reminded me of...

artworks-000028792919-1z0tg3-t500x500.jpg


...The Bear Oyster
 

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
The Lewis Partnership, which also runs The Swan across the street from The Bear Grill

Really?
The Lewis Partnership today announces the sale of The Swan Hotel, Stafford to The Coaching Inn Group for an undisclosed sum.

The popular Stafford town centre venue comprising of a Brasserie style restaurant, bars, coffee shop and 31 hotel bedrooms had been part of Staffordshire based hospitality company, The Lewis Partnership, since 2001 when they purchased the property from Scottish & Newcastle brewery.

Chris Lewis, Managing Partner of The Lewis Partnership said “After 17 successful years at The Swan, we have made the decision as a family to concentrate on and grow the destination dining and events element of our business. Although this change in focus means that our time in Stafford Town Centre has come to an end we would like to thank all of our customers and staff for their support over the years.”

“Coaching Inn Group have a fantastic reputation. Their impressive and ever growing portfolio of beloved coaching inns, like The Swan leaves me with no doubts that they will make great custodians of this historic venue”
#SwanStafford #WDYT #Stafford #EndOfAnEra #SoLongTheSwan
 

Gareth

Well-Known Forumite
Blimey, didn't see that coming :)

End of era, shame it was in good hands but standards and footfall were sliding over the last year. Probably needed some fresh impetus and LP have an avenue they want to further explore/ enhance.

Tell you what baffles me is people not be able to read.

The announcement on FB has people responding saying they cannot believe it is closed before being corrected by others. Statement could not be any clearer about its take over/ sale
 
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Tilly

Well-Known Forumite
People only read the headline now.


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1831.Jonathan_Swift
Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect: like a man, who hath thought of a good repartee when the discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath found out an infallible medicine, after the patient is dead.
 

1JKz

Well-Known Forumite
Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect: like a man, who hath thought of a good repartee when the discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath found out an infallible medicine, after the patient is dead.
People only read the headline now.
FALSEHOOD FLIES
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
Lewis partnership are not making any profit, they're shutting some supermarkets. So they're selling off the Swan for that reason no doubt.
 

joshua

Well-Known Forumite
Controversial plans agreed for historic Bear Grill signs
By Liam Keen | Stafford | News | Published: 1 hour ago

‘Immoral’ and ‘appalling’ plans to change the front of a historic pub have been agreed by councillors.

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What the historic pub will look like under the agreed plans.
The 17th century Bear Grill in Greengate Street, Stafford, that sits opposite the ‘Ancient High House’ and on the same road as the town’s oldest church, will soon have a new timber fascia titled ‘The Bear’.

The original plan was set for the current sign to be replaced by colour-changing LED letters with a hanging sign reading ‘Beers, Burgers, Cocktails – for every occasion’, that was met by fierce opposition from councillors.

The revised plans for the Grade II listed building, that is owned by Marston’s, have now been approved by Stafford Borough Council, despite continued unrest amongst the planning committee that saw six councillors vote in favour of the plans and three against.

Ward Councillor Christine Baron, who also opposed the original plans, said: “I’m not happy at all about this. The images have found their way into the public domain and hundreds of people on social media are totally against it. It’s a listed building in a conservation area and the plans are totally unnecessary.

“We’re here to represent the community and I’m totally appalled at this proposal.”

Councillor Jack Kemp said: “This is a historic building and to stick up that frontage is unbelievable. There is no need for this to be changed, everyone knows this building and I think these plans are immoral.”

There were mixed reviews amongst the committee, with Councillor Geoff Rowlands saying: “I see no reason to refuse this proposal as the surrounding roads are covered with appalling signage. I don’t like the plans but I can’t be against it as it’s the same in this area.”

Councillor Andrew Harp said: “The plans are quite acceptable and I see no reason to refuse them.”


The proposal was recommended for approval by the planning officer who took into consideration the character and appearance of the new signs and the historic building, the visual amenity of the plans and any concerns to public safety.

The officer’s assessment says the proposed signs will be a direct replacement of the existing frontage and the proposed colour of the signage is in keeping with the historic building. It is also proposed that the illumination of the sign will be a continuation of the existing lighting and will be appropriate for the ‘character and appearance of the premises and the Stafford Conservation Area’.

The planning officers concluded that the signage design is acceptable in terms of character and appearance and has ‘little negative impact on the Stafford Conservation Area, the important historic setting of the premises and the listed building itself’.

They also found that the plans integrate well with a ‘retail-dominated area’ and has been designed to ‘avoid being over dominant on the streetscene.’ It was also decided that the proposals do not pose any significant risk to public safety.
 

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
The LED-lit lettering looked awful but that looks pretty tasteful if I'm honest. It's fitting with the building and inoffensive.
Whilst I agree with you, I found the quote below beyond ridiculous.

"....with Councillor Geoff Rowlands saying: “I see no reason to refuse this proposal as the surrounding roads are covered with appalling signage. I don’t like the plans but I can’t be against it as it’s the same in this area.”

What kind of mindset is that for a fully grown adult and in a responsible position? It sounds like something that would come from an eight year old.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Whilst I agree with you, I found the quote below beyond ridiculous.

"....with Councillor Geoff Rowlands saying: “I see no reason to refuse this proposal as the surrounding roads are covered with appalling signage. I don’t like the plans but I can’t be against it as it’s the same in this area.”

What kind of mindset is that for a fully grown adult and in a responsible position? It sounds like something that would come from an eight year old.
It is the mindset of the sort of idiot who presides over 'planning' decisions such as the monstrosity (also visible in that picture) that replaced Dale's shop, right next to St Chad's church. The pebble-dashed wall is a monument to the incompetence of our masters.

"The rest of the place is a mess - why bother?" - New SBC motto?
 

Gareth

Well-Known Forumite
Whilst I agree with you, I found the quote below beyond ridiculous.

"....with Councillor Geoff Rowlands saying: “I see no reason to refuse this proposal as the surrounding roads are covered with appalling signage. I don’t like the plans but I can’t be against it as it’s the same in this area.”

What kind of mindset is that for a fully grown adult and in a responsible position? It sounds like something that would come from an eight year old.

It isn`t at all. That us how councillors have to make decisions.

They may not agree nor like plans but they have legislation and guidance set by government to make planning decisions and give consent., which is leaned to worked to in favour of applicants more than committees.

If they made decisions outside of that not only would there be an appeal but the council will lose most of the time.

It is hard not to agree with cllr, the high house has had and has some dire signage. This is better than that.

Then as pointed out already, look at the 60/70s build design next to st chads.

To be honest, I do not see much issue with the new signage. If the picture is accurate (not this design in public) better than the neon signage for sure.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
It isn`t at all. That us how councillors have to make decisions.

They may not agree nor like plans but they have legislation and guidance set by government to make planning decisions and give consent., which is leaned to worked to in favour of applicants more than committees.

If they made decisions outside of that not only would there be an appeal but the council will lose most of the time.

It is hard not to agree with cllr, the high house has had and has some dire signage. This is better than that.

Then as pointed out already, look at the 60/70s build design next to st chads.

To be honest, I do not see much issue with the new signage. If the picture is accurate (not this design in public) better than the neon signage for sure.
Utter bollocks and why the whole council system in this country is just a steaming great pile of shit, staffed the self-aggrandizing and clueless.

As for that last paragraph well, really?

Ok I'm going to submit plans to run a motorway right through Cannock Chase. It'll be refused of course but my subsequent proposal to only build 100 tasteful homes slap bang in the middle of the AONB will then get approved because it's better than a bloody great motorway running through it.

Really?

Utter utter bollocks.
 
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Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
It isn`t at all. That us how councillors have to make decisions.

They may not agree nor like plans but they have legislation and guidance set by government to make planning decisions and give consent., which is leaned to worked to in favour of applicants more than committees.

If they made decisions outside of that not only would there be an appeal but the council will lose most of the time.

It is hard not to agree with cllr, the high house has had and has some dire signage. This is better than that.

I don't believe for one second there is any legislation to perpetuate unsightly street furniture because there is already unsightly street furniture in the vicinity.

If you haven't got the balls to challenge this as a councillor perhaps you should hand over the reigns to one that has.
 
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