Birmingham’s Craven Arms Pub Listed at Grade II
A pub in Birmingham City Centre featuring a striking two-tone tiled exterior, has been granted listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – on the advice of Historic England.
The Craven Arms, on the corner of Upper Gough Street and Blucher Street, with its striking tiled exterior has been recognised as a building of exceptional national interest.
Designed between 1906-1910 and attributed to local architect Arthur Edwards, the ground floor of the building is faced with moulded and glazed ceramic tiles while the upper floors are of red brick. The windows are timber framed. Edwards is also thought to have been responsible for the building occupied by O’Neill’s on Broad Street.
History
A pub has existed on the corner of Upper Gough Street and Blucher Street near Holloway Head since at least the 1840s when the first licensee of the Craven Arms was recorded.
As industrial areas developed on the rural fringes of Birmingham in the early 19th century, the construction of new factories and workers’ houses led to the establishment of public houses, that served the local working communities.
By the 1970s most of the workers’ houses surrounding the Craven Arms had been demolished. The two adjoining properties on Blucher Street, including the ground floor shop survived until at least 1971, after which time they were also demolished.
Listing
Listing – being added to the National Heritage List for England - provides certain protections for the building and means that listed building consent must be applied for to make any changes to that building which might affect its special interest.
It’s wonderful that the Craven Arms has been recognised on our advice. Its distinctive exterior is breathtaking and I know that many people will be pleased to hear that another of Birmingham’s historic pubs now has a level of protection.
CAMRA welcomes the terrific news that the Craven Arms, Birmingham has been granted a Grade II listing. The historic pub will now receive greater legal protection, hopefully safeguarding the community hub from unnecessary change or damage – preserving this beautiful, historic asset for generations to come. It is heartening to know that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport took on board the advice given by Historic England, leading to the pub being bestowed its new status.
