Owners who bulldozed ahistoric 18th-century northern pub have been fined nearly £70,000and ordered to rebuild it, brick by brick, within a year.
The Punch Bowl Inn on Longridge Road, Hurst Green, was bulldozed by Donelan Trading Ltd in June 2021, despite warnings from Ribble Valley Borough Council that to do so would be considered a criminal offense.
A trial last year at Burnley Magistrates’ Court found that Andrew Donelan, Nicola Donelan and Rebecca Donelan, David Cotterell, and Brian Ingleby unlawfully demolished the pub despite having been warned not to do so in advance by email.
The five people responsible were ordered to pay a total of £69,125 in damages today at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, and inspectors have confirmed that they will also have to rebuild it in full within the space of 12 months.
The pub is rich in local history and is said to be haunted by the ghost of 1730’s fugitive highwayman Ned King, who reportedly fled Essex with a high price of his head and headed north – eventually arriving at the village of Hurst Green, between Longridge and Clitheroe.
A member of the infamous Essex Gang of robbers – most of whom had already been captured and hung at Tyburn Gallows for horse theft, deer poaching and highway robbery – he is thought to have travelled alongside Dick Turpin before ultimately meeting his demise.
The pub, built in the 1720s, was visited by the fugitive on several occassions, and local legend has it that landlord Jonathan Brisco became friends with Ned and tipped him off to which of the customers staying at the inn would make good marks.
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Following a previous hearing at Burnely Magistrates Court, where a key witness, construction firm boss Gez Pegram, told the jury that there had been ‘no need’ to demolish the pub, District Judge Alex Boyd handed the group a total fine of £22,250, prosecution costs of £44,650 and a £2,225 surcharge.
The planning inspectorate also ordered that the council’s full costs must be repaid by the company.
The decision to demolish the pub was taken by Donelan Trading Ltd and a contractor after they grew tired of waiting for the council. Their defense team also claimed that the site had been targeted by arsonists and was falling into disrepair.
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Whilst criminal proceedings were ongoing, the company was sent an order by local planning inspectors to rebuild the pub they then tried to appeal.
However, their appeal was rejected – leaving them responsible for putting the boozer back together as it once.
The order states that they will need to ensure that the internal and external of the building are in line with the plans attached to the notice. This means going through the rubble with experts and working out what can be salvaged for the rebuild.
Any materials that can’t be salvaged must be bought again and approved before their use to ensure they are as historically accurate as possible.
Representing the council, Mr Killian Garvey said: “Given the defendants have to rebuild the building, we understand they will have financial burdens in that effect.
“That will also reinstate some of the planning harm that has been caused.
“The council would say that a listed building that has been demolished and rebuilt will not have the same character as if it were just left.”
District Judge Alex Boyd said: “This prosecution follows the demolition without authorisation of the Punch Bowl Inn on June 15, 2021.
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“The purpose of these requirements is to protect the building for current and future generations to enjoy.”
First look at The Cut & Craft as magnificent new steak restaurant opens
Daisy Jackson
The wait is finally over – after several years and a few million pounds, The Cut & Craft is ready to open in Manchester… and it’s worth the wait.
This magnificent newcomer, already well-loved over in Leeds, has transformed an old Grade II-listed banking hall on Mosley Street into a decadent dining room.
Here, diners will sit beneath glittering chandeliers and ornate ceilings as they feast on premium locally-reared steaks, British seafood specials and a lengthy champagne and wine list.
Specialising in steak and seafood, with in-house butchery, The Cut & Craft has invested £3.5m to reinvigorate the former Manchester and Salford bank in the city centre.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The restaurant will focus on quality steak and affordable seafood, served from lunch through to the evening.
Dishes will include freshly-shucked oysters, Exmoor caviar and hand-cut beef tartare with breaded yolk and sesame croutons, plus grilled monkfish, king scallops, fish and chips, grilled lamb cutlets and a signature 10 oz flat iron steak, which is butchered by an expert team in house.
The stunning restoration project for The Cut & Craft has been carried out in collaboration with Bruntwood SciTech who have carried out a complete reimagining of the building.
Inside The Cut & Craft in Manchester
Ciara Keeling, Chief Operating Officer at Bruntwood SciTech commented: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Cut & Craft to Bond.
“In breathing new life into this iconic building, Bruntwood SciTech have created an inspiring new workspace and leisure destination, one which deserves an exceptional hospitality operator at its heart.
“Preservation of this building’s extraordinary heritage and architecture has been front of mind throughout the whole restoration project, and the ground floor banking hall space is no exception.
“In The Cut & Craft we have found a partner that will bring quality, elegance and laid back glamour to this magnificent space, completing Bond’s status as an exciting new destination for the city centre.”
The Cut & Craft officially opens in Manchester on Monday 28 April 2025 – see more HERE.
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”