The Jubilee pub in York may be saved after flats plan blocked

Last week City of York Council’s planning department decided not to let the upper floors of The Jubilee, on Balfour Street near Leeman Road, be converted into four flats, reducing the space available for drinkers.

Now pub campaigners say that move - which followed a failed bid to convert the entire pub to housing - would have been a death-knell for the venue.

York CAMRA’S Nick Love said losing the large function rooms would have hit the pub’s viability and reduced its use for the community.

He welcomed the planner’s move, and said he and other pub campaigners feared the scheme could have been a “Trojan horse” leading to the end of the pub.

“We were glad they wanted to retain the pub, but we didn’t think it would be viable with a hugely reduced space," Mr Love added.

He said there are now two potential purchasers, and the pub could thrive serving the community nearby and the new community on the neighbouring York Central site.

He added: “We’re delighted that the pub has been recognised as of considerable community value. We very much hope that the current owners enter into negotiations with two parties that have made us aware they have registered their interest in purchasing this property.

“This pub has a bright future if run under with the right business model - as a freehouse run for the benefit of the local community serving locally sourced beers and food.”

The Jubilee opened in 1897 and was named for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.

It was sold by former owners Enterprise Inns to Wakefield based Tri-Core developments in 2016. Tri-Core wanted to convert the building into six flats, but hit opposition when council staff questioned whether the pub had been marketed properly as a going concern.

The pub has now been closed since 2016, but the prospective buyers want to reopen it under a manager, and a more recent planning bid shows the upper floors could be used as guest accommodation.