Petition to save 800-year-old Leicestershire pub

A petition has been started over concerns an historic Leicestershire pub is being left to rot since it closed its doors since years ago.

The Cock Inn in Sibson - one of the oldest pubs in England dates back to the thirteenth century (1250) and is widely regarded as among the oldest surviving inns in the country, the Grade II-listed building predates the Battle of Bosworth Field and is steeped in national folklore.

Local tradition holds that the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin used the inn as a refuge. It is a recognised iconic landmark throughout the midlands. Despite its historic significance, the pub has remained vacant since November 2019 and residents say the building has visibly deteriorated during that time.

The Cock Inn is owned by Star Pubs & Bars, the pub business of Heineken UK. The company has previously pledged at a public meeting attended by over one hundred local residents that it intends to invest in restoration works and a major refurbishment of the site. However, local campaigners say that a number of assurances about progress have not been fulfilled.

Local residents have now organised a petition calling for urgent restoration of the pub, which has already attracted more than 900 signatures. The building was registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), recognising its importance to the community. 

The petition states: “We the undersigned request the urgent restoration of our Grade II-listed historic village pub, The Cock Inn in Sibson, by the owners Star Pubs and Bars (Heineken UK). The Cock Inn is registered as an Asset of Community Value and has been deteriorating since being left vacant in November 2019. It is a much-loved landmark in the area and a much-missed social hub for locals and visitors alike.”

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said "The Cock Inn is a great community asset with so much history, I can see why the community have been fighting so hard for it. I commend the Parish Council, Cllr Joshua Melen and all those in the community who are working to get this historic pub back to its former glory. The petition shows the strength of feeling from residents, and I hope it will help to focus minds. I have not only met with everyone involved but visited the Cock Inn to try to help steer progress, and while I understand there have been encouraging words, I hope we can see definitive action that everyone is happy with. Now is the time to make a real impact and get the resolution this historic pub deserves."

In February 2023, ‘Save our Pub!’ was founded by members of the Sibson community with the aim of re-opening the Cock Inn. County Councillor Joshua Melen chairs this group, alongside representing residents in the Market Bosworth area.

Councillor Melen said:

“The Cock Inn is not just another village pub. It is a building of national historic importance and a treasured part of our local community. For centuries it has been a gathering place for residents and visitors alike. Unfortunately, residents have heard many promises over the past six years about restoration and reopening, but those promises have yet to translate into visible progress. Meanwhile the building continues to deteriorate.”

Residents are urging Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to use the powers available to it to compel the pubs owners in to action. 

Fosse 107 has contacted Star Pubs for a comment. 

A spokesperson for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said: “As the local planning authority, the Borough Council has granted listed building consent for repair works to this historically significant building to address concerns about its condition.

The council’s Conservation Officer has been in recent discussions with the building owner Star’s project manager and contractors, and a site meeting is scheduled later this month to agree how works to address immediate concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of the building will be carried out. Once this is confirmed, the council will formally request clear and achievable timescales for delivery from Star.

We recognise the strength of local feeling and the importance of conserving this listed building for the long term. We will closely monitor progress. If agreed timescales are not met, the council will consider the options available to ensure the building is properly conserved." 

The council has not been involved in any recent discussions about the future operation of the pub and would welcome clarification from Star, including a clear commitment on reopening once the repair works are complete.”