Council to take action on neglected pub in Stoke

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is going to take enforcement action against one of Stoke’s most neglected buildings.

The Bell & Bear, Snow Hill in Shelton which has stood empty for years is coming under increased scrutiny.

In the most recent city council meeting, Councillor Dean Richardson asked the Leader of the Council Abi Brown about ongoing safety concerns at heritage sites.

The leader confirmed enforcement action is pursuing against the owners of the Bell & Bear to address the condition of the building.

She said: “We are currently moving forward a section 215 notice against the owners in respect to painted windows, replacing broken glass and some boarding that is in place.”

She also confirmed that the planning team have also spoken to the owner and encouraged them to come in for ‘a chat’.

A section 215 notice requires ‘such steps for remedying the condition of the land as may be specified in the notice’

One local business owner across the street said: “It looks like it’s half falling over as it is. I don’t think they will be able to fix it, it is a bit of an eyesore. To renovate it would cost too much and wouldn’t be worth doing. You’d be better to knock it down and build something new.”

Cameron Dead aged 33 from Havelock Place said: “It’s been like that forever, it’s about time the council did something about it.”

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