Ambitious plans to reopen Starbeck's landmark Henry Peacock Pub

Natalie Wilkins and Charlotte Mclaughlin have been working tirelessly for weeks to save the pub and have now submitted an application to Historic England to have building Grade II listed.

After closing its doors in 2012, the building was approved for demolition in the same year but has stood derelict since that time and falling into disrepair.

However, a planning application for the pub to be transformed into a veterinary surgery, pet shop and six apartments was approved by Harrogate Borough Council last year.

The business partners are now hoping to save the pub from demolition by proving to Historic England that the building is of special historic interest.

Natalie said: “The application has been put through and we have notified the owners and the estate agents who had it listed because they’re obliged to notify any potential buyers.

“There’s so much history at the pub. It’s a beautiful, lovely building. It’s shame they want knock it down or replace it with something there is no need for in Starbeck.

“There is nowhere close where you can get a proper sit-down meal. There are a lot of good food places in Knaresborough but they re too far away so a pub that serves food is exactly what we need.

“Running a pub isn’t something we ever thought of doing but it just jumped out as us. So now our main mission is to save it from being demolished but we also want to make sure it stays as a pub.”

According to Historic England, all buildings built before 1700, and containing most of their original fabric, are listed as are most from 1700 to 1840.

Despite being built in 1848, the building has not yet been historically listed due to the greatly increasing number of buildings erected and have survived from this point.

The business partners have also enlisted the help of Harrogate Civic Society chairman Henry Pankhurst in their battle to save the landmark building from demolition.

Henry said: “I have tried to help in any way I can. I have found an early sketch of the pub from the 1850’s but I don’t want to predict yet if they will be successful or not.

“I’m very pleased they’re having a go. It’s at a late stage now because two planning applications have been passed on the site.

“If anything is going to happen Historic England are going to have to act swiftly. I would be very pleased if it was listed because buildings like these need saving.

“The building does have history and of course it has age. Many buildings that are pre 1850 are already listed so it’s a bit disappointing that this one has slipped through the net.”

Historic England has confirmed they have received an application to list the historic Starbeck pub and are currently processing it.

There is no time frame set for a decision on the outcome but business partners Natalie and Charlotte know they will have to act quick if they want to achieve their dream of running the pub.

The business partners are now appealing for anyone with information on the pub’s history, including pictures, to get in touch to help their application.

To contact Natalie, email [email protected]