Historic York pub could be turned into a holiday let

An historic pub is set to be turned into a holiday rental.

The Woolpack Inn on Fawcett Street in Fishergate could become a seven-bedroom holiday let.

Developers Loppas Ltd have submitted a planning application for the pub – which closed in the past year.

They want to make changes to the three-storey building to create seven ensuite bedrooms, a dining area, lounge and kitchen.

‘No adverse impact’

In planning documents, the developers state:

• There is little doubt that the Woolpack Inn public house is valued by the community.

  However, it is noted that there are a number of other public houses immediately adjacent to the site, and York city centre is within 800m of the site.

  Whilst these may not have the same range of facilities provided by the Woolpack Inn, they do provide similar services and facilities for the local community.

  In light of this, it is not considered that the loss of the Woolpack Inn as a public house would necessarily have an adverse impact on the community’s ability to meet its day to day needs.
  

It adds that the Grade II-listed building was originally designed as a home in the early 19th century and only became a pub in the 20th century.

Changed little

Documents say the appearance of the building has changed very little since it was constructed.

There would be no parking provided as part of the scheme and the plans say there will be few alterations made to the outside of the building.

The statement adds: “In the applicant’s view, the proposed development would bring economic benefits through the net gain of holiday accommodation within a sustainable location immediately adjacent to the York city centre, without resulting in the unacceptable loss of an asset of community value.”

The Woolpack has been through a few changes in recent years. Previously a Punch Taverns pub, it was bought in 2013 by Paul Crossman and Jon Farrow, who also own The Slip Inn and The Volunteer Arms.

It was a music venue, hosting lots of live gigs. Then in 2014 it was relaunched as a ‘beer and conversation pub’.

And in late 2016 it was taken over by two teachers turned publicans who reopened it as a ‘no gimmicks’ pub.

It’s original pub name was The Fat Ox, but was known as the Woolpack by 1867, according to A Directory Of York Pubs by Hugh Murray.