A GROUP dedicated to the longevity of a York high street is fighting to secure the future of a popular pub.

Bishy Road Traders Association has applied to City of York Council to get The Winning Post listed as an asset of community value to stop attempts to take it over.

The pub is not under threat at the moment — but traders have moved to secure it because of its prime location and fears that other businesses will be harmed if it is redeveloped.

The Press’ Be Vocal For Your Local campaign hopes to get the authority to put Article 4 directions on all city pubs to make sure firms eager to transform them apply for planning permission first. This would give residents a say on what should happen — a voice they currently do not have.

Johnny Hayes, chairman of Bishy Road Traders Association, said: “There is a whole rush of supermarkets trying to take on pubs and we were conscious of the fact we would not want The Winning Post to have the same fate. So we have asked for that to be listed as an asset of community value.

“There is no indication there is any interest from any party, however. The lease is up for sale, so we thought we would have The Winning Post listed as an asset of community value because it is a wonderful pub and we do not like the idea of Tesco and other big supermarkets moving into pubs.

“We have no objection to the Sainsbury’s in Bishopthorpe Road because it is part of what is on offer. But pubs the size of The Winning Post being turned into a supermarket can completely alter a very successful area.”

Paul Stephenson, landlord, said: “I want it to keep going and stay open but it is difficult because bills are going up and people do not have the money to spend.”

The meeting to decide whether the pub should be listed as an asset of community value will be from 9am on Thursday at the council’s West Offices.


Sign our petition to protect our locals from closure

A PETITION calling on councillors to put measures in place so companies have to apply for planning permission before converting pubs is now collecting signatures.

The document can be signed at change.org to support The Press’s Be Vocal For Your Local campaign to close a planning loophole and give residents a say on the future of their pubs. The petition is a joint effort between this newspaper, the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) and Paul Crossman, who is a licensee in Bishopthorpe Road.

It states: “This petition calls for the City of York Council to make urgent use of its statutory powers in order to develop and implement an emergency pub protection policy, which after wider consultation with York residents and local interest groups can then be enshrined within the overall York Local Plan.

“Our pubs are currently facing a renewed assault by remote interests looking to exploit the General Permitted Development Order 1995 whereby pubs can quite legally be converted to alternative uses such as supermarkets, betting shops, pawnbrokers, pay-day loan shops and fast food outlets.

“They can even be demolished, without any requirement for a planning application, and therefore, of course, without any consultation within the local community.”