PLANS are back on the table to turn a Teesdale pub into a home and holiday let.
Two years ago the owner of Holwick’s Strathmore Arms, Ivan Carter-Becker, withdrew unpopular plans to convert the inn. Mr Carter-Becker has now re-submitted proposals for the remote pub, which closed in 2020. The scheme comes weeks after plans to convert the Three Tuns, in Eggleston, were approved by Durham County Council.
Mr Carter-Becker says The Strathmore Arms is unviable.
In a planning statement, the applicant said the net profit for 2014 to 2018 was “significantly lower than expected to maintain a business operator in this sector” . The business has not returned a viable living wage in the period, Mr Carter-Becker added.
His agents, GAC Planning and Design, said: “The remote location of Holwick presents significant challenges for operating the business due to the reliance on customers travelling to the property, the limited number of surrounding dwellings and customers, alongside the high cost of utilities and the seasonality of trade.
“The proximity to various walking and cycle routes has provided a seasonal trade over the years. However, the limited number of dwellings within the vicinity means that there are significant challenges in obtaining a regular local trade at a level which can sustain the business, this compounding the general difficulty that the hospitality trade has experienced over the past decade.” The Strathmore Arms was put up for sale in February 2020. The agents said: “The applicants have explored all offers as confirmed by the agents, but no firm offers have been made save for short lived tenancy in 2021 which resulted in the tenant handing the property back after approximately ten weeks. Of the 30 viewings of the property, only two were interested in retaining a leisure business.”
Mr Carter-Becker met members of Holwick Parish Meeting to explore the possibility of running the pub as a community venture.
“The parish meeting canvased local opinion, with the ultimate response being that a venture would not be possible due to the size of the operation and lack of financial viability,” said GAC Planning and Design, adding that the pub was at risk of falling into disrepair.
Durham County Council will decide on the application in the coming weeks.
