Community unites to save award winning pub

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to save an award-winning pub from being bulldozed to make way for a new bus station.

The 19th Century Coachmakers Arms is part of a block that could be knocked down so a new bus station and shopping complex can be built in Stoke on Trent.

But developers face a battle with Admiral Taverns tenants Jason Barlow and Sue Grocott, as well as customers and campaigners to save the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Staffordshire Pub of the Year.

A petition already has 1,000 signatures and the couple is applying to preserve the building through listed status.

Jason and Sue found out that the pub could be demolished when they received a letter from developers, DTZ earlier this month.

Sue said: "The letter said that we may be affected by the proposals. So I phoned the development company and they told me we were on the list for demolition.

"Then when they came here to talk to us on Tuesday (March 18), they told us that nothing was certain. So now I don't know what to believe.

"This is our business and our home. But it's also the history, character and architectural interest of the place that should be protected."

Organiser for CAMRA Staffordshire, Eamonn O'Kane, said: "The Coachmakers is a fine example of a community pub with strong support from locals, also attracting customers from afar to sample their excellent, ever-changing, selection of real ales."

A DTZ spokesman said nothing has been finalised and that the Coachmakers Arms may or may not be affected by the development plans.