The long fight to save a York pub could soon be over.
Campaigners have been battling to get The Jubilee on Balfour Street off Leeman Road up and operating again since 2016.
That was the year it was sold by pub operator Enterprise Inns to Tri-Core Developments, who put forward a plan to turn part of the first floor and the roof space into flats.
Under that scheme, a smaller pub would have continued to operate on the ground floor.
While that proposal was turned down by City of York Council, it was later approved on appeal.
Now, though, Tri-Core has put in a new application which would end all hope of The Jubilee reopening.
This scheme would see the entire building turned into six flats – with
- four 2-bedrooms units on the ground and first floor, and
- two 1-bedroom units on the second floor.
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.”
The documents go on: “it is clear following an extensive period of robust and recent marketing that the operation of the pub and function room are no longer viable”.
A group was formed, The Friends of the Jubilee, to try and save the pub for the community. Hundreds of people signed a petition to back the pub.
However, developers now say: “Furthermore, the local community have been presented with numerous opportunities to explore taking on the pub although those discussions too have not resulted in a viable offer.”
The owners describe the Jubilee as having an “attractive external appearance”. But after seven years of laying empty, its windows are boarded up and covered with graffiti.
“It is clear the use of the building as a pub is no longer viable and the proposed conversion of the building to provide six high quality apartments would breathe new life back into the building, which has experienced continued decline due to prolonged vacancy and inactivity in the building.”
You can read and comment on the planning application here.