Jonathan Schofield with news about a fine Manchester pub
This comes from the Heineken owned Star Pubs.
"The Briton’s Protection is to shut temporarily on January 8th, reopening on January 16th. This short closure will allow us to make infrastructure upgrades, such as installing wi-fi cabling and tills, as well as enable us to carry out renovations to the upholstery, flooring and toilets and redecorate the function and meeting room spaces. We'll also be undertaking sustainability works to improve the energy efficiency of the building. These improvements will be in keeping with the look and feel of the pub and maintain its historic status."
We asked, rather begged, Star Pubs that the character of the pub be retained
It's a brief and stark message about the Grade II listed 200 year old boozer from Star Pubs, a huge chain not known for its tender care of classic pubs.
Still, the proposed cosmetic changes are very welcome and very needed. The pub has been in limbo and it shows throughout the public areas. The court case that concluded last year allowed the current licensees, led by Mark West and Alan Hudd, to remain in place and the character of the pub to be cemented for ten years. The strength of the public campaign to keep the pub the same showed the level of feeling about the Britons Protection, or simply the BP as it's affectionately monikered.
Unfortunately those licensees now say while they got that commitment from Star Pubs the costs associated with the court case plus the general cost of running a pub through a quiet Christmas have brought on the crisis that has led to them pulling out from the BP.
What is the character of the Britons Protection?
That's an easy one to sum up. It's the character of the classic British city boozer: small rooms, gin palace decor, great beers, superb spirits.
Famously the BP had the best selection of whiskies in a Manchester pub.
But there was much more than that, small things that one almost didn't notice but added up to something significant.
There were no TV screens playing footy and while Confidentials love footy we don't think it should be a noisy presence in every pub. Screens are a distraction from that core element of a real pub, the warm hum of people chatting, human engagement. This was emphasised by the policy of not having music except if private groups wanted it in the function room upstairs. Through all the lovely and lively downstairs there was just people talking or not talking and cuddling a pint or a short.
We asked, rather begged, Star Pubs that these characteristics be retained. The spokesperson said they had nothing to add to the press release above, so we'll have to trust the company to comply with the commitment they made to the licensees.
Regular Simon Davies-Hall probably speaks for many when he told Confidentials: "The Britons is a beautiful old pub but much in need of a bit of TLC as it's become run down. You get people from all walks of life and from all over the world for its strong cask ale offering and a world class whisky selection.
"Take either of them away and it's doomed as a pub, the whisky buffs would disappear in a puff of smoke and the ale drinkers would simply go down the road to the Peveril of the Peak. So, Star Pubs can do what they like with the pub as long as they keep the beautiful interior and its contents."
The BP is epitome of the traditional English pub, a rarity in Manchester city centre, and all the more welcome for that. Star Pubs should do the clever thing, sensitively restore the pub but maintain its timeless character. That should be the priority of the new management.
Previous articles about the BP
Campaign and court case for the Britons Protection
Individuality v the bland in beautiful Manchester pub
Ridiculous tower proposal neighbouring the Britons Protection pub
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