March 9, 2023 9.00 pm This story is over 26 months old

Call for better protection of community assets following loss of Lincoln pub

A campaign fought to protect the West End Tap
The West End Tap pub in Lincoln avoided being turned into housing but has yet to be reopened
By Local Democracy Reporter

Campaigners have called for better protection of Lincoln’s community assets following the controversial closure of the West End Tap.

Plans to convert the beloved pub on Newland Street West into maisonettes, with a two-storey extension to the rear, emerged in August 2021 and sparked outcry from regulars.

The venue was forced to close during the COVID pandemic and management informed locals that it would not be reopening despite lockdown restrictions being eased.

In response to the news, concerned residents set up the “Keep the Tap Running” group as they argued the business was an important and viable community venue and that its loss would have a huge negative impact on the area.

Campaigners from the Keep the Tap Running campaign From left – Aaron Joyce, Lincoln CAMRA chair, Marianne Langley, secretary of Keep the Tap Running, Terry Mackown, (majority investor) | Photo: LDRS/The Lincolnite

The collective applied for the pub to be an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which allows them a right to bid if the building goes up for sale.

The proposal was initially shot down by City of Lincoln Council, although they reconsidered when campaigners reapplied in January 2022.

Marianne Langley, secretary of the Keep the Tap Running campaign, has now called for improvements to be made the councils’s ACV scheme, saying that more venues across Lincoln need to recognised.

“This is a painful and frustrating process which is heavily weighted in favour of the owners,” she said during a city council meeting on Wednesday.

City of Lincoln Council meeting on Wednesday, March 8 | Photo: James Turner

At the time of writing, there is only three ACVs listed on the City of Lincoln Council’s register and Ms Langley believes this is in part due to the flaws in the current policy and it not being promoted enough.

Labour Councillor Naomi Tweddle backed the campaigner, saying: “In terms of access,  I’ve always been a strong believer of local government being inaccessible.

“I think councils can do more to get involved with local people.”

With the majority of councillors left stunned by the presentation, Councillor Calum Watt made a recommendation to the executive to the create a policy document on ACVs.

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