Historic pub The Egypt Cottage goes down the tubes

Aug 9 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

“It’s not our wish to demolish either the Tyne Tees site or the Egypt Cottage but because of legislature we cannot afford any other option.

“A huge amount of people say they want to use it but they are remembering how it was when The Tube was filmed there, and the situation has totally changed there now.

“A number of people have tried to make it work in the bar, but it is not making any money.

“Our marketing team have virtually been knocking on people’s doors offering the former Tyne Tees site rent free, but it’s empty.

“If Jools Holland was to visit the whole site now I think he would get why it is not working.

“So, our plan is to demolish it, get the right advertising and then encourage people in.

“We’ve tried to be accommodating but we don’t have any other option now. . . it’s haemorrhaging money and bringing none in.”

Award-winning director Geoff Wonfor, whose late wife Andrea Wonfor was The Tube’s executive producer, called upon the musical legends who appeared on The Tube to join a campaign to keep the Egypt Cottage doors open.

He received backing from Jools Holland who said losing the pub would be “an absolute tragedy”, and he has now been joined by Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone, who still hopes it can be saved from bulldozers.

He has asked the city council if the building – first erected in the 1700s – can be given listed building status to recognise its historical and musical importance.

He added: “If it is listed it could possibly be protected.

“I’ve also asked if the buildings can be given a rates reduction.

“It’s a well-loved building for its history and also as one of the few live music venues left . . . there’s an awful lot of pubs closing now and I feel they are an important part of the local community.”

A council spokesman said: “We would advise the owners of Egypt Cottage to contact the Valuation Office Agency to see if they are eligible for a reduction in their ratable value.

“We do have powers to reduce business rates by modest amounts however it would be up to the owners to contact us to see what we can do to assist them if anything. In its day Egypt Cottage was a very popular pub and is fondly remembered. However, it is not a listed building and is not in a conservation area and so we do not have the power to prevent its demolition if that is what its new owners want to do.”

Last month it was revealed that the Cooperage on the city’s Quayside was closing.

Page 3 - The pub with a famous history >>