The Rising Sun in Bathwick, which has been closed since a devastating fire three years ago, looks unlikely to ever reopen as a pub.
The former Rising Sun pub on Grove Street
Instead a planning application has been submitted to change the use of the Grove Street building into housing.
The pub dates from the mid-to-late 19th century and was constructed on the site of a pair of late 18th-century houses.
It was extended and refurbished throughout the 20th century.
Sixteen guests had been staying overnight in September 2022 in eight en-suite letting rooms when fire broke out. They were evacuated after a passerby called 999 to report flames coming out of the roof.
An investigation found three breaches – failure to ensure that appropriate procedures were in place in the event of a fire, failure to ensure that fire safety precautions were properly maintained, and making false entries in the fire safety logbook.
The ex-landlord Norman Butcher received a suspended prison sentence in August 2023 and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Earlier this year, Bath & North East Somerset Council approved plans to remove fire and water-damaged debris and to reinstate the third floor and roof.
Bedstone Developments Rising Sun Ltd said the works would enable the building to be returned to a “suitable and viable use” that would be discussed with the council.
The fire at the Rising Sun in 2022 | Photo © Milo Bishop
Now the developer is applying for planning permission and listed building consent to turn the pub into seven residential apartments and to build a coach house maisonette.
A report from Savills, which accompanies the application, says although the public house market remains “very active” with both licensed operators, developers, and investors continuing to invest in the sector, interest from licensed operators has been focused on the “best quality assets”.
“Despite the property’s central location within Bath and its proximity to the Bath Recreation Ground, it is situated in a secondary location away from the main commercial thoroughfares and high footfall areas.
“The property offers a small rear trade garden proximate to existing residential properties, which may limit its operational appeal to pub operators. No off-street customer car parking is available.”
The report concludes: “Based on the interest received during the extensive marketing campaign, we can confirm there is a clear market preference for redevelopment of the site with all enquiries and offers coming from developers, investors and builders.
“No interest was received from prospective pub operators. We believe (this) reflects the property’s fire damage condition and associated restoration costs, and also the secondary location.
“These factors coupled with broader market conditions, led licenced operators to conclude that the opportunity was unviable and more suited to redevelopment into an alternative use.
“We are also of the view, having regard to the likely rental returns (noting this is dependent on securing a private pub operator), and having regard to the cost of reinstatement, the provision of a public house as part of the redevelopment would be unviable.
“As such, it is not an option that would be progressed by any rational developer on a speculative basis.”
The planning reference is 25/03375/FUL. The deadline for comments is 23rd October.
Bedstone is also converting the vacant halls and vestries at the neighbouring old Central United Reformed Church into apartments.
