For anyone who has ever dreamed of running their own pub, there are a few great examples in the Birmingham area that are looking for landlords. Alison Jones takes a look at some inns that are bursting with character.
The White Lion, Hampton-In-Arden
A little village pub would be a dream for many and this long established watering hole is just charming.
The white rendered building actually dates back as far as the 17th century. It is now Grade II listed.
It is two storeys, apart from the extension at the back.
The White Lion has a traditional feel inside, with heavy beams, red tiled floor and leather topped stools. There is even a spot for a piano.
The restaurant area has a rather artless, just thrown-together look, with mismatched chairs and tables. There is also a nice pub garden.
Nine en suite bedrooms, complete with period features, are the basis for a successful B&B business.
Also included is a detached brick and slate building comprising a bedroom annexe for letting.
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The pub is being sold for £275,000 through Fleurets on 0121 236 5252.
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Buck & Bell, The Green, Long Itchington, Southam
This is a little way out, but what a pretty prospect.
The Buck & Bell has existed since the mid-17th century and was originally owned by local families, first the Hoppers, then the Chaters.
As its address suggests, it overlooks the village green, which is complete with pond.
A brick-built Georgian hostelry, it has three public areas, including a bar and restaurant.
There is a galleried area on the first floor with plenty of natural light through a feature front window.
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The owner/manager could live on site as there are three rooms and a bathroom set aside (though they are in need of redecoration).
Located off the car park area is a detached three-bedroom cottage which would could be used for staff. It is available by separate negotiation with the vendors.
The Buck & Bell is being auctioned by next Thursday, February 25 at Aston Villa FC.
It has a guide price of £550,000. Call 0121 233 5046 for details.
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Warwick Arms, Long Street, Sparkbrook
This pub used to be known as O’Grady’s.
It is a traditional local, dating back to Victorian times.
There is an open plan bar area with U-shaped bar in the centre.
There is plenty of room for a knock on the pool table or to throw a few darts. The Warwick Arms is well used by local teams.
The beer garden has a view over a pleasant local park.
The fact it comes with eight bedrooms opens up the possibility of it being used for a pub B&B.
It also has a catering kitchen. So far its potential has been under exploited, but a landlord who is keen on cooking could start pulling in the public with some tasty gastro fare.
The freehold is for sale at £325,00 and it is being offered through Fleurets on 0121 236 5252, Halls on 01743 450 700 and Sidney Phillips on 08454 585 900.
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Red Lion, Soho Road, Birmingham
A glorious remnant of the days when there were nearly 100,000 British pubs, compared to less than half that now.
It was built in 1901 by James and Lister Lea, who were also responsible for the Bartons Arms in Aston.
Coming literally at the end of the Victorian era, in the year the Queen died, it is a monument to that period’s love affair with decorative detailing and architectural flourishes.
Its ornate features include cream, green, blue and gold Minton wall tiles, a smoking room with a panel of etched and gilded glass and a gilded mahogany bar.
The three-storey building with terracotta brick facade is protected by a Grade II listing.
However, planning permission was granted in 2012 for an outbuilding and old toilets to be knocked down and a single storey extension to be added at the back so it might be used as a restaurant.
It is being sold for £300,000 as a development opportunity (an adjacent site with planning permission for a three-storey building is available separately) through Mason Young on 0121 285 3535.
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The Station, Kings Heath
An unusually named pub given that it isn’t actually attached to a train station, nor even a bus station.
Kings Heath actually lost its train station of 100 years during the war. It was closed in 1941 as an economy measure.
The nearest one is a 15-minute walk away in Bournville.
A landmark on the High Street, The Station has more recently been known as The Sun at The Station, a sister to The Sun on The Hill in Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham.
It is famously lively at the weekend as it plays host to local DJs and bands that can perform inside the pub, which has a function room as well as its public and lounge bar, or in the beer garden, which is the biggest in Kings Heath and boasts a secret cider shed.
For a tenant that wants to focus on doing some creative cookery, or perhaps rival the High Street’s coffee house trade, there is a catering kitchen and 50 covers spread throughout the pub.
The Station is available to let through on 01283 501999 (price on application).
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