Derelict pub owner faces council legal action

The Old Rock was formerly known as Chequers before a name change in 2016

A council is taking legal action against the owners of a derelict Nottinghamshire pub that residents have described as an "eyesore".

The Old Rock pub in Stapleford, which closed in 2022, has boarded-up windows, peeling paintwork, and piled up rubbish in its former beer garden.

Broxtowe Borough Council confirmed it took the action because the landowner had breached a community protection order.

The landowner, Nikita Business Solutions Limited, has been approached for comment.

Amy Davis, who runs a tailoring shop that backs on to the property, said the site had been repeatedly targeted by fly-tippers.

Amy Davis has had her business on the high street for 11 years

Ms Davis said the pub, which used to be called Chequers, had been popular before the Covid pandemic.

"It's just really sad to see it sort of left in that state when it would have been a thriving place, and probably has got a lot of memories associated with it," she said.

The 51-year-old also said the owners of high street properties should "have a responsibility" to maintain their buildings.

"It's right on the main crossroads in Stapleford, so everybody sees it, and it's really letting the side down when we all put a lot of care and effort into running our businesses," she added.

The former pub garden has already been hit by one fire caused by the fly-tipping, said multiple residents

Kate Bojoga, 36, who has lived in Stapleford for seven years, said the building had become an "eyesore".

"It's just a bad thing, it's not very good for the town, and as people come into Stapleford this is mainly the first thing they see," she said.

Jane Phillips, 75, added it was an "iconic building which is slowly deteriorating".

She said the building owner needed to be held accountable for its maintenance.

"It's become a dumping ground... and people think that they can leave rubbish there because it's not [their] problem, but it's everybody's problem when it's quite a visible building," she said.

Councillor Richard MacRae, an independent representing Stapleford North on Broxtowe Borough Council, said the Old Rock pub had been left in "wrack and ruin".

He described the building and fly-tipping on site as "dangerous", and called on the owner to "have some responsibility".

"They need to make a decision whether they're going to sell it, so it can be brought back into use for the community," he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the council said the authority itself could not comment any further because the legal action was ongoing.