Plymouth business owners trading in a street where a busy pub closed have spoken about the effect on footfall. The pub closure has had a knock on effect for other small shops in the vicinity which is a “real shame”, they said.
Much-loved pub The Grenville shut its doors in June 2024 – and local residents are still campaigning for its return. The old venue has served generations of local families and is described as being “the beating heart of the community”, but currently remains closed.
A second planning application for the premises is still awaiting decision, the owner, Mr Andrew Cotterell wants to turn the old pub into flats. The second planning application was met with 23 objections, although 17 supported the plan for flats, however locals living in St Judes have said the street just “isn’t the same” without The Grenville.
And now, businesses nearby are also noticing an effect on trade with less people passing by. Rebecca Harrison is the owner of Grenville Fish and Chips on Grenville street just opposite the now closed pub.
She said: “It’s a real shame that such a local community pub has closed. It’s affected so many different aspects of the community, people used to go in there to socialize with such community spirit anyone was welcome.
“Since it’s shut we have noticed it’s affecting other local businesses like my own Grenville Fish and Chips due to the custom no longer grabbing that chippy tea on their way home from the pub. Quite often we used to get calls placing their orders to collect for when they leave. It feels like we have lost the beating heart of the community.”
Click here to join PlymouthLive on WhatsApp and we’ll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
Also nearby is corner shop, Grenville Stores, directly opposite the closed pub – and the owner Sabesh Umapathy has noticed the shop has been “much less busy” since it closed. He described the pub as “a good venue with no worries” when it was open.
He said: “The pub closure has definitely had an effect on our business (Grenville Stores). It’s all related and people were always popping in from the pub. Now we’re less busy and it is worrying. It was always a great pub and was open for so many years. Customers in the shop are always asking if and when it will open again.”
One local man made an offer on the pub in summer 2024, but was rebuffed by the owner at the time. Locals in St Judes have said they have been left with nowhere to go and the community still hopes The Grenville will reopen.
Plymouth city councillors have previously stated that they wish to see the premises kept as a space for the community . An Article 4 Direction has been confirmed on the planning application – which councils enforce as a constraint on certain buildings when the character of a neighbourhood or listed building is significant.
Local resident Bea Belgrave-Jones said: “The community is currently in a state of limbo. We’re really grateful that the Planning Committee listened to the concerns of local residents and have indicated that they’re minded to refuse the second planning application but we don’t have the final outcome yet.
“We’re also still waiting on the decision of the Planning Inspectorate who are dealing with the appeal against the council’s refusal of the first application. We’re fortunate to have the support of all three of our ward councillors, Sue Dann, Mary Aspinalland Chris Cuddihee.
“The Friends of the Grenville Hotel have submitted a second nomination to the council for the pub to be listed as an Asset of Community Value but we may not have a result from that for another few weeks.
“Even though the residents aren’t able to get together in the way that they could when the Grenville was open, it’s impossible to bump into a neighbour that frequented the pub without talk of it reopening being mentioned. The community has not given up.”