Campaign launched to bring pub back to life

Developer Peter Styles bought the West Malvern pub last year. It has been closed for about 18 months, and before that it was an active music venue, hosting live performers and DJs several nights a week.

One application is to keep part of the existing pub as licensed premises, and to create three houses.

The other calls for converting the whole pub into a hou se and building three more.

The Lamb’s role as a venue was controversial, with some residents complaining about noise and antisocial behaviour.

But musicians and music fans called for it to be retained as Malvern’s premier live music venue.

The Campaign for Real Ale has launched a campaign for the premises to remain as a pub.

Spokesman Mark Haslam says the Morgan, formerly the Cavalry, proves that pubs can be brought back to life.

He said: “Just like the Lamb, it was a failed Punch Taverns leasehold pub.

“However, under independent freehold ownership, it is now a successful community venue.

“We do not understand why the same can’t work at the Lamb, if given the chance.

“The owners have decided they have no wish to run the Lamb as a pub – fair enough – but they should now put it on the market with a view to selling it to someone who will.”

Music fan and West Malvern resident Martin Taylor said: “I don’t think anyone locally has changed their point of view.

“The Lamb is much missed and people speak of it wistfully.”

But Pat Martin, who lives close to the pub, said: “I’ll be supporting Mr Styles’ plan 100 per cent.

Since the Lamb closed, we’ve enjoyed peace for the first time.

“I’m not against pubs or live music, but they have to be properly run.”

Andrew Boughton, agent for Mr Styles, said they had originally proposed three options: keeping the pub, developing the site for housing or a compromise.

He said: “We’ve tried to keep faith with our original proposal but there hasn’t been any interest in opening it up as a pub.”