Future of two Portishead pubs under spotlight

TWO Portishead pubs, which have laid vacant for several months, could be sold off. The White Lion in the High Street, once an old water mill, and the Royal Oak at West Hill both closed last June. The pubs – once popular watering holes in the growing town – have remained boarded up ever since, prompting concern about their long term future. Rumours have been circulating the town that if no new licensee can be found to take on the pubs, they could both be sold off for developers and eventually turned into flats. There are also fears that if left empty, the buildings could become a magnet for vandals. The area around West Hill shops is already a popular meeting place for local teenagers at night. Portishead Town Council has already set up a heritage committee to look at ways of protecting buildings of historical importance in the town. A register of historic buildings with heritage importance has already been compiled, featuring 35 properties. Portishead councillor and heritage committee founder and chairman, David Pasley, said: "The pubs in the town are part of the architectural history of Portishead. "They both occupy prime sites in the town and cannot be left empty and to deteriorate. "the White Lion is a particularly key site right on the High Street and is a building with a lot of history. "Before the docks were built I understand the river came right up to the White Lion which used to be a water mill and there is evidence around the building which shows where the fishermen used to tie their boats. "The building has been a pub for many, many years and I would like to see it kept for that purpose along with the Royal Oak which is the only pub in the West Hill area of Portishead. "We certainly don't need for these pubs to be sold off and developed into yet more flats. "Portishead is a continually growing town and needs a good variety of nice eating and drinking places." Owners, Enterprise Inns, would not be drawn on its plans for the former hostelries or whether they were going to be sold. They would also not confirm whether new tenants were being sought for the businesses. A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: "We are reviewing our options for both sites to decide what is best for the market in going forward."