A pub at the heart of the community in the centre of Bath is set to double in size.
The Raven pub in Bath | Photo © Colin Peachey / Shutterstock.com
The Raven’s expansion will see it take over the grade II*-listed former Pritchards estate agents next door to serve the city’s “exceptionally unique” clientele.
The traditional Queen Street pub hit national headlines last April when one of the landlords, Rod Humphris, clashed with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over lockdown restrictions and his “failure” to hold the government to account.
Support for the plans shows that the incident did not dent its popularity, with 10 backers saying the Raven was a “much-loved institution” that is the “heart of the local community” and a “pride of Bath”.
One supporter said: “As someone who has seen Bath through the lens of a tourist, student and now resident of 10 years, the unique multi-function of the Raven as pub for both Bathonians and tourists alike is very impressive.
“The only problem is usually space to accommodate the community groups, rugby fans, locals and students (and that’s not even taking into account Christmas market shoppers!).
“An expansion of the Raven would mean more local jobs and more room for people to meet at an independent social hub – this gets my full support.”
The former estate agents closed in the summer of 2020 and has since stood empty.
New links to the Raven will see them operate as “one commercial entity and allow for customers and staff to ‘flow’ through both buildings unhindered”.
Kingsmead’s Councillor Andy Furse said: “I see this as an opportunity to bring the building into use, a welcome addition to Quiet Street and expand a successful and well thought of and managed pub in the city centre.”
The pub will continue to open daily at 11am and close at 11pm Monday to Friday, midnight on Saturdays and 11.30pm on Sundays.
Approving the application, planning officers said: “Bringing number 11 Quiet Street, including its upper floors into beneficial use will deliver some public benefit. Additionally, repairs to the shopfront will be secured by condition.
“Given that the repairs to the front elevation are a key element of the scheme which weighs in favour of the proposals, it is essential that these works are delivered as part of the conversion works.”
They said the expansion would not significantly impact on neighbouring residents.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
