No bull - owners try again to turn pub into a vet's surgery

Regulars and staff with Simon Danczuk at the Bull's Head pub

The owners of the Bull’s Head in Smallbridge are having a severe case of déjà vu as they fight a second planning application to turn the pub into a veterinary surgery, just months after the first was refused.

• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/102721/no-bull-owners-want-to-turn-pub-into-a-vets-surgery

The events echo those from May, when tenants Paul Quinn and Kay Bevan, who have run the thriving local community pub for five-and-a-half years, discovered the plans when they were posted on a lamp post outside the property.

Kay said: “We only have until the 18 November to fight this. The notice went up on the lamp post outside on Friday 6 November, despite the application submission going in on Wednesday 5 October.

“It’s exactly the same as last time, only I worry about our business and home, especially coming up to Christmas, as I’m not sure if we can do everything again. It feels like they’re trying to force us out.

“This decision would affect so many, the customers, the staff, the darts and pool teams, which would then affect the leagues.

“Again, we’ve had no contact from Prontoserve apart from when the tenancy was signed, and when they called us after the last application was rejected to say how upset they were we were going against their decisions.

“When Prontoserve bought the building, we were told nothing would change and the Bull’s Head would be a pub for as long as we stay here. Everything was supposed to stay the same.”

As well as providing B&B accommodation to visiting contractors, the pub’s customers also make significant contributions to local taxi firms and other businesses.

Kay added: “Springhill Hospice would lose out too, as we host events for them over the year. This year we have raised over £1,500 pounds for them.

“We open at midday unlike other pubs in the area and have many of an older generation visiting us, where are they going to go in the middle of the day? We have many loyal customers, this is our chance to be loyal to them.

“The plans show they plan to turn the yard into a dog exercise area; it’s just not big enough. There’s also the potential for a lot of noise to disturb nearby residents.”

Landlord Paul Quinn said: “It’s not just putting the five people here out of a job, the knock-on effect for the whole community would be huge.”

Simon Danczuk, who supported the Bull’s Head and opposed the planning applications previously, has been invited to comment.

Prontoserve Ltd have also been approached for comment.

A petition has been launched to fight the proposed plans.

To sign the petition, visit:

• https://www.change.org/p/rochdale-council-save-the-bulls-head