It used to be the bustling heart of its community.
Locals would relax and meet friends in the downstairs bars, play darts in the sports room and hold functions in its capacious first floor.
But, as these pictures show, the Jubilee on Balfour Street has been trashed.
Doors are smashed off their hinges. Toilets are wrecked. Graffiti is scrawled on many of the walls.
Broken glass and plaster is strewn around the floors. In the backyard a fridge is abandoned on its side next to a brown pool of unidentified congealed liquid.
These pictures were sent to YorkMix by someone who has been inside the pub in recent days.
They said they didn’t have to force entry. A gate saying ‘unauthorised entry to this site is strictly prohibited’ is wide open, as is the back door.
Clearly many others have taken advantage of the lack of security, as the long-closed pub has become a playground for vandals.
The photographer asked YorkMix to share the photos as they wanted people to know what has become of the Jubilee.
Closed for years
Found about a third of a mile away from the National Railway Museum, the Jubilee had a proud history of its own.
Designed by renowned architect Walter Brierley and constructed in 1897 in Queen Anne style, it was named in celebration of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
But it has been shut since 2016, and its future has become a source of controversy. The local community has campaigned against a number of plans to turn much of the pub into flats.
In 2022, owners Tri-Core Developments took City of York Council to a planning appeal. An inspector ruled that three flats can be built in the upper floors. But part of the ground floor should remain as a pub, with a smaller function room above.
That was followed by a further planning application in December 2023, to turn it into “six high quality apartments” with no pub function left at all. This is still waiting for a decision from City of York Council.
Nick Love, of the York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “The condition of the ground floor of the Jubilee is an absolute disgrace and is a direct reflection of the unacceptable negligence of the owner.
“That said it does not surprise CAMRA in the slightest given all of the experiences that many people who care about the future of The Jubilee have had with Tri Core Developments.
“It is obvious that the owners only ever want to convert the complete building into flats rather than comply with a planning appeal judgment by Her Majesty’s Inspector that said the ground floor should be retained as a public house.”
Nick said they have “spoken to several interested and credible parties” interested in taking on part of the building as a “community focused local pub”, but the owners have been “uncooperative”.
“If Tri-Core Developments think that CAMRA, local residents and councillors are going to lose interest they are hugely mistaken. We all remain committed to saving The Jubilee as a local community asset.”
The pub’s owners said they have tried unsuccessfully to find anyone willing to take on the running of a downsized Jubilee pub.
“Extensive marketing has been undertaken by a national estate agent with experience in letting pubs,” planning documents state.
“Marketing commenced in April 2022 and has continued through to present day, totalling a period of over 17 months.
“Two enquiries were received in relation to the operation of the pub, however neither were able to demonstrate proof of funds upon request and consequently no viable occupier has been secured over the 17 months of marketing.”
We have asked Tri-Core Developments for an interview to talk about their hopes for the building’s future.
