A NEW licence application has been made for a historic Downend pub that has been shut for more than four years.
The White Swan in North Street closed in 2021, having traded for around 140 years, and was sold for just over £300,000 in 2022 after operator Admiral Taverns said it did not have a “long-term sustainable future”.
However South Gloucestershire Council threw out plans to convert the main pub building into housing last year, saying it had not been proved that the “local heritage asset” was no longer viable.
Now owner Andrew Morgan, of Mordam Developments, has applied to the council for permission for a premises licence, with permission to sell alcohol and play live and recorded music seven days a week from 1pm to 11pm.
Mr Morgan told the Voice the application was intended to “keep options open” for the future of the building, which is currently being renovated, and was only one potential commercial use.
The previous licence was given up the same year the pub was sold.
The application is due to be considered by the council’s licensing sub-committee at hearing on October 2.
There have been four objections from neighbours, raising concerns over the potential for noise, antisocial behaviour and parking problems they say affected the pub before the lockdown.
One wrote: “The premises was a known hotspot for drug use and dealing.
“Incidents of drug-taking, dealing, and sexual activity occurred in the lane and were recorded on my CCTV system, which I installed due to safety concerns arising from the pub’s operation. “Violence and disorder between patrons were not uncommon, contributing to a general sense of lawlessness in the vicinity.”
Another said that in the past they “could not go to bed” until well after music had finished, and said some customers had urinated nearby.
Neighbours told the council that if the licence is approved, live music and use of outdoor seating should have a curfew of 10pm and new soundproofing installed.
No objections had been made by the police, environmental health or other public bodies as the Voice went to print.
Mr Morgan said: “Applying for a licence gives us the option for a pub.
“It has to be commercial use, as we can’t get planning permission for anything else.
“It’s crying out to be housing with a garden and parking, but South Gloucestershire Council won’t let us turn it into houses.”
He said the White Swan had previously been “a long way from being commercially viable”, with the previous licensee reporting an annual income of just £4,000, and said those wanted it to be a pub hadn’t backed it with their custom.
Whatever happens, the renovation programme will take a while. Mr Morgan said: “It’s now in such a state it will take 12 months to get it in a weathertight condition.”