Concerns have been raised over the future of a much-loved Bristol city centre pub garden after revised plans to redevelop a building next door were revealed. Developers Boutlbee Brooks, which owns both Canningford House and The Cornubia pub in Redcliffe, want to completely transform the 1970s office building.
The scheme includes plans to reinstate a mediaeval walkway called Long Row, which would link Victoria Street and Temple Street, and would cut through the pub’s garden next door. Under the plans initially shared in November, the outside area of the pub would have been reduced to around four tables and the toilets attached to the back of the venue would have been opened to the public.
But following criticism of the original scheme from pubgoers, developers went back to the drawing board and revised the plans. During a drop-in session on Wednesday (June 7) developers revealed the updated proposals, which would see the toilets remain for the sole use of patrons of the pub, with access running through the building only.
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Under the new plans, the garden has also been redesigned to provide a greater amount of outdoor tables, in line with their current seating capacity. But the one part of the scheme that hasn’t changed is the reinstatement of Long Row.
The route that Long Row will take is the one it originally took over 60 years ago, which is now straight through the much-loved and heavily used pub garden at The Cornubia. Developers said that the reinstatement of Long Row is a requirement under policies set out by Bristol City Council.
Adam Trego-John, close friend of The Cornubia landlady, Jacqui, said: “From the meeting we just had there are some small wins, with the toilets not being demolished and removed from the building and the fact they clearly did listen from the previous meeting and providing more table space, a covered area and making it more enclosed.
“But the space that is going to be provided is much smaller than what the pub currently uses, so it is definitely going to have an impact on the trading of the pub, there‘s not going to be the space for people to use the garden area.”
Pub regular Zoe Williams also raised concerns about the loss of outdoor space. She said: “I understand that we might have to compromise in some way, but until they can demonstrate why it is suddenly so important, then I feel like it will be losing far more than it gains, for the community and for the people who call this place home.”
And fellow pub regular Andy Bright added: “I think the updated plans are better than the original plans, but the big elephant in the room is the reintroduction of Long Row. Losing the garden would be ripping the heart out of the place, especially in the summer.”
A spokesperson for Boultbee Brooks said: “It’s in everyone’s interests – including ours – to ensure The Cornubia continues to be a thriving pub that also doubles up as a much-valued community hub.
“We will raise the community’s concerns about this with officers and Historic England but we can’t promise it will be removed. Should Long Row remain in the scheme, we also commit to looking at whether further seating and tables could be put on Long Row itself – without restricting people from walking along it – effectively, as a further, informal extension to the pub garden. Again, we can’t make any promises, but will definitely see what the options are.
Planning Agent Matt Tucker said: “We will continue the engagement in the run up to a revised planning application submission, which is likely to be in the autumn.”
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