Plans to demolish Darwen's old landmark pub (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Plans to demolish Darwen's old landmark pub
10:36am Tuesday 20th December 2011 in Darwen
DEMOLISH Old Rosins Inn
THE boss of Darwen metal fabrication firm WEC has lodged plans to demolish a 200-year-old pub and turn it into his home.
Steve Hartley plans to knock down Old Rosins Inn in Treacle Row and build a house on the site – complete with helipad.
Some nearby residents are unhappy with the proposal.
Leslie Johnson, 59, of Chapel House, Pickup Bank, says he does not want to see the old building demolished.
He said: “We moved here because it’s a rural village with a local pub. We worked all our lives to achieve that.
“Then the pub closed and we waited for it to reopen but it never did. It is a local landmark. It’s been there for about 200 years and is part of the fabric of the area. I’ll be very sad when I look out of my window and see bulldozers rolling in.
“And I don’t believe the plans are in keeping with the local area. Round here it’s all farms and buildings with the stone cottage effect.”
Mr Johnson was also concerned about the noise generated by helicopters.
He said: “Mr Harley has a helipad at his current home in Hoddlesden and we can hear it half-a-mile away.”
Mr Johnson added that he had nothing personally against Steve Hartley.
He said: “I know he has done a lot for the town, so if the pub can’t be kept then I guess there is no better person than Mr Hartley.”
Mr Hartley said there was little option at Rosins as nobody seemed to want the building.
He said: “What do you do with a pub nobody wants?
People don’t want this type of recreation any more, so you’re just left with an old, delapidated building on a hill.
“We bought Rosins for £1million as an investment and we haven’t been able to do anything with it.
“I have offered to show Mr Johnson the accounts but he hasn’t responded.
“With regards to the helicopter, I have lived 500 yards from Rosins and my helicopter has used the same flight path for 12 years and nobody has ever complained.
“I went round to tell people about my plans and most people were happy that I was doing something about it.
“One lady who owned a farm even said she liked the helicopter as it conditioned the horses to be able to deal with the noise.”
Comments(23)
BuckoTheMoose
says...
1:28pm Tue 20 Dec 11
If doesn't look like that will happen any time time soon so this chap may as well do as he pleases with it if the local residents can't stump up the cash to do what they want with it.
Wishingwell
says...
1:42pm Tue 20 Dec 11
I have never met Mr. Hartley but he is clearly trying his best to create jobs and wealth in our area. I just hope he isn't put off by the retard comments on here.
TugaysRightBoot
says...
1:42pm Tue 20 Dec 11
did you smash it?
says...
2:12pm Tue 20 Dec 11
.
jealousy is a horrible trait
Joseph Yossarian
says...
3:14pm Tue 20 Dec 11
sweeneytodd
says...
3:21pm Tue 20 Dec 11
Where will Copenhagen graze ?
sweeneytodd
says...
3:21pm Tue 20 Dec 11
Where will Copenhagen graze ?
sweeneytodd
says...
3:31pm Tue 20 Dec 11
workaholic
says...
6:18pm Tue 20 Dec 11
CapitaBackHander
says...
1:22am Wed 21 Dec 11
louderfasterlonger
says...
2:09am Wed 21 Dec 11
Least Steve Hartley had the decency to speak to residents.
ThisIsPete
says...
2:36am Wed 21 Dec 11
Five years ago this was a thriving pub and restaurant. In fact, you would be lucky to get a table without booking. The standard of food and service was second to none, and the building's charm and location made it an ideal venue.
The recession and anti-smoking legislation have certainly had an effect on pubs but they are not responsible for the demise of high-end, niche businesses like the Rosins. The culprit here is poor management.
After losing the popular and highly effective restaurant manager, inexperienced and unsupervised staff led to a rapid decline in service, food quality and cleanliness. It was at this point that I and many others in the village stopped going, fortunately before the final indignity of the £33,000 fine for multiple, serious breaches of hygiene regulations (if you ate there during this period you really don't want to look at the details of the case). Who was the owner responsible for steering the business from success to shameful failure? I'll give you a clue: he's getting a new house soon.
It would be such a pity if 300 years of local history (and let's face it, it's not in abundance in Darwen) is to be erased without proper consideration. It's not possible to rebuild these things once they're demolished.
I would say to Mr. Hartley, if you're such a good business man, surely you can see the true value in this unique property and find a way to return it to profitability.
ThisIsPete
says...
2:37am Wed 21 Dec 11
Five years ago this was a thriving pub and restaurant. In fact, you would be lucky to get a table without booking. The standard of food and service was second to none, and the building's charm and location made it an ideal venue.
The recession and anti-smoking legislation have certainly had an effect on pubs but they are not responsible for the demise of high-end, niche businesses like the Rosins. The culprit here is poor management.
After losing the popular and highly effective restaurant manager, inexperienced and unsupervised staff led to a rapid decline in service, food quality and cleanliness. It was at this point that I and many others in the village stopped going, fortunately before the final indignity of the £33,000 fine for multiple, serious breaches of hygiene regulations (if you ate there during this period you really don't want to look at the details of the case). Who was the owner responsible for steering the business from success to shameful failure? I'll give you a clue: he's getting a new house soon.
It would be such a pity if 300 years of local history (and let's face it, it's not in abundance in Darwen) is to be erased without proper consideration. It's not possible to rebuild these things once they're demolished.
I would say to Mr. Hartley, if you're such a good business man, surely you can see the true value in this unique property and find a way to return it to profitability.
Babbar Divino
says...
2:39am Wed 21 Dec 11
Your ferret stinks
says...
10:46am Wed 21 Dec 11
sean_brfc
says...
12:13pm Wed 21 Dec 11
DJ_Jaybee
says...
9:49pm Wed 21 Dec 11
DJ_Jaybee
says...
9:50pm Wed 21 Dec 11
K H 77
says...
9:19pm Sat 24 Dec 11
amazed
says...
1:45pm Mon 26 Dec 11
batesempire
says...
11:15am Thu 29 Dec 11
DJ_Jaybee
says...
1:11pm Fri 13 Jan 12
The WEC Group, one of the largest employers in Darwen, owns the Old Rosin in nearby Hoddlesden. A routine inspection by Blackburn with Darwen Council EHOs in October last year uncovered serious problems with hygiene, including mouldy food kept past its sell-by date, surfaces contaminated with dried food waste and a butter dish with a fly in it.
The company appeared at Blackburn magistrates court recently on charges including failing to ensure that the food premises was kept clean and maintained in good repair, and to ensure fittings and food equipment were clean and disinfected.
Sajada Khan, for the council, accused WEC Group of not keeping records of when food should be thrown away or regularly checking the temperature of the fridges. She said: ‘Public safety is paramount in these situations and high standards should have been maintained. It would seem the WEC Group did not get involved in day-to-day running of the premises.’
The company admitted nine food hygiene offences and was ordered to pay £3,500 on each count. Costs of £2,288 were awarded to the council. The court heard the company had refurbished the premises and brought in a new senior management team.
Councillor John Slater, executive member for citizen and consumer rights, said: ‘Companies have a responsibility to make sure the food we eat is safe.
‘I am pleased the hotel in question has heeded our advice.’
More Darwen stories
- 4,635 crashes for East Lancashire young drivers
- Historic Tockholes church celebrates 350th anniversary
- Resident flees fire at Darwen flat
- Farm Watch launched in Darwen
- Disabled Darwen girl moves home from hospital for the first time aged four
- Parking 'mayhem' in Darwen around leisure centre
- Man flees Darwen flat blaze
- Blackburn schools project enters 'exciting final phase'
- Controversial Darwen gypsy site gets planning permission after 10-year fight
Lancs Lassie says...
12:23pm Tue 20 Dec 11