Joule’s Brewery granted permission for £2 million restoration of historic pub

Shropshire-based Joule’s Brewery has secured planning approval for a £2m investment into the restoration at The New Inn in the Birmingham suburb of Harborne.

Preserving pubs and protecting the character

The independent brewery, which had already put plans in place to restore and invest in the site, has noted that the decision marks a significant milestone for Joule’s which has “spent the last two years getting to know the pub, listening to the local community and carefully developing plans to protect the character of one of Harborne’s best-loved pubs”.

The brewery has stated that, for Joule’s, this is “far more than another development, as a small independent brewery” and has reiterated that “every investment we make is one we’ve worked hard towards. We reinvest in our pubs because we believe they’re worth preserving, and The New Inn represents the biggest investment we’ve ever made into one of our Taphouses, with more than £2 million committed to its future”.

Joule’s Brewery development director Anna Brakel said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our plans have been approved. We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the project so far, whether that’s by coming along to our consultation evening, sharing their thoughts or taking the time to support the application. The response from Harborne has been fantastic, and we’re really looking forward to the next chapter. We’re thankful to the Local Planning Authority for supporting our application and for their collective support and understanding in the importance of preserving community pubs to ensure they can thrive for many years to
Come.”

The brewery has assured that the approved plans have been carefully designed to protect everything that makes The New Inn special and noted that “the much-loved original bar and Victorian parlour rooms will remain at the heart of the pub, complemented by thoughtfully designed new spaces and an extensive pub garden development that will help secure the building’s future while respecting its history and character”.

‘Never lose sight of the responsibility’

Joule’s Brewery managing director Vicky Colclough added: “We’re a small local brewery, and projects like this only happen because people continue to support what we do. We feel incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to care for buildings like The New Inn, and we never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with that. Our aim has always been simple: to restore this wonderful pub with care and create somewhere that Harborne can continue to enjoy for many years to come.”

While planning permission has now been approved, work will not begin immediately whilst the brewery’s teams plan and prepare for the project next year.

The brewery will be sharing further updates on the next stages of the project and timings for the restoration along the way, but has stated that “until then The New Inn will continue to trade as normal under the fantastic stewardship of landlords Ade and Bernie, who continue to give locals the warm welcome the pub is known for”.

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