'Direct discussions' over Three Tuns buyout confirmed
Stratford-on-Avon District Council has confirmed it is in “direct discussions” with the owner over purchasing the derelict Three Tuns pub in Alcester.
The Grade-II listed building on High Street, Alcester, which has been supported by scaffolding since being ravaged by fire in 2021, was set to be auctioned by Bond Wolfe in September.
That prompted a decision by the district’s cabinet – the Liberal Democrat panel of councillors in charge of major service areas – to enter the race but the listing was subsequently withdrawn.
Bond Wolfe has since confirmed it is no longer instructed to sell the property.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last week that the council has made available £200,000 – up to £80,000 to purchase the freehold and £120,000 for initial repairs – to buy the building and make it safe without the need for the scaffolding that has blocked the pavement for the past five years.
That money only covers those initial works and not the full cost of bringing the listed building back into use, a long-term and currently unfunded obligation that the council would be taking on if it sees through the purchase.
Council reports acknowledge that full restoration costs are likely to “significantly exceed the value of the finished asset”.
It has prompted a mixed reaction from across the district with councillors concerned that the authority may leave itself with a financial black hole. Questions have been asked over what makes this a unique case over and above other derelict buildings in the district, and whether taking action on such an issue in Alcester is a political preference.
Intervention is supported local county and district councillors, Alcester Town Council and the civic society. The district’s portfolio holder for projects and communications Councillor Louis Adam (Southam North & Long Itchington) stated ahead of the September decision that the site being left derelict for so long, the ongoing issue of the pavement being blocked and the site being put up for sale made this a “unique case”.
A Stratford-on-Avon District Council statement read: “The district council is currently in direct discussions with the property owner and no agreement on a purchase price has been reached yet.
“Additional legal information has now been received and the council is undertaking the necessary due diligence checks before determining its next steps.”
The council said it would not be commenting on the budget set for the purchase and initial works but did confirm “that the cost of fully restoring and reopening the property would exceed £200,000”.