A COMMUNITY is celebrating after a two-centuries-old pub - closely tied with the origins of Barnsley Football Club - was saved from being turned into housing at the last minute following a public outcry.
Just last month it was reported that the Dove Inn, on Doncaster Road, was set to close after its owner Old Mill Brewery claimed it no longer fit into its wider plans.
Fears quickly spread that new owners had plans to convert the property into a controversial house of multiple occupants (HMO).
Believed to be one of the town’s oldest pubs, it opened around 1790 and became a base for footballers when the club was in its formative years and then known as Barnsley St Peter’s FC, under the guidance of Reverend Tiverton Preedy.
Yet public outcry over the closure, including extensive coverage by the Chronicle, seems to have had an impact as the new owners have reversed their decision and hope to reopen doors in just several weeks’ time.
Father Blair Radford, of the nearby St Peter and St John the Baptist Church, has been working with the community to support the pub and is thrilled by the recent announcement.
He told the Chronicle: “I’ll be really happy once I’m at the bar with a beer in my hand.
“I’ve been talking to a lot of the local residents and there’s a feeling that you’ve almost got to see it to believe it.
“When we learnt the pub was going to close there was a very good piece run in the Chronicle which piqued quite a lot of attention.
“I think the new owners were taken aback by the force of the public opinion.
“Once they properly understood the situation and the connection to the club I think they were open to the idea of reopening.
“They’ve brought people in and bought a lot of the old Barnsley FC memorabilia so it can be back on display in the pub.
“It just goes to prove that local interest stories in the local paper can still generate attention towards an issue and help people to think differently about their decisions.”
Reopening the pub hasn’t been the easiest of tasks, as the former owners stripped the property upon selling, leaving Luke Thompson - who will now run the business - with the difficult task of replacing essential items like beer lines to the cellar.
Nevertheless it’s a task that Luke - who manages The Silkstone on Park Road and Retrodome near the town centre - has taken on wholeheartedly and he’s looking forward to reviving the local landmark.
He added: “When I was offered the pub I was a bit 50/50 about it all - I’ve already got a lot on my plate with The Silkstone and Retrodome.
“But I spoke to a historian at the club and got a real appreciation for the heritage of the place.
“I’m hoping this will be a fresh start for the pub and we can give it a new lease of life.
“It’s got massive ties with Barnsley FC and we want to keep that going - we’re turning it into a bit of a sports bar with lots of historical stuff.
“We’re want to have a massive reopening and hopefully get some players in to join us.”
