Plans have been submitted that could see a long-established pub in Northumberland turned into housing. Under the proposals, the Blue Bell in Mickley near Prudhoe, which has been closed since April 2025, could be turned into a single dwelling.
Applicant cites lack of viability
The applicant states that there has been a "series" of unsuccessful attempts to run the pub in recent years and that it has now been left vacant. However, a number of objections have already been submitted by local residents.
A letter from the pub's owner, TrustInns, said: "We believe the Blue Bell at West Mickley has reached the end of its life as a pub. The reality here is that we are unable to drive sufficient trade through the outlet in order to create a viable business."
The pub company blamed rising costs including the minimum wage, utilities and equipment as well as a lack of footfall from residents of the small village and a "change of consumer habits".
Marketing and tenancy history
A design and access statement submitted as part of the application stated: "Economic challenges and a series of unsuccessful tenures lead to the closure of the public house, leaving the building vacant and in a degenerative state."
The property has been actively marketed and had three tenants since July 2021, with the Public House closing at the start of April 2025. There is a clear lack of market demand for the continued use of the building as a function venue.
The applicant also claimed the scheme would have a number of benefits to the community, including a "small but positive" boost to the housing supply.
Residents object
The plans were submitted to the council last month. Since then, 10 objections from local residents have been received by the county council.
John Allison of Stocksfield said: "I feel that the Blue bell is the heart of the High Mickley community and is a viable business opportunity. Given the right opportunity and support it can thrive as it has in the recent past. If you allow this change of use then high Mickley become a road and houses and nothing else. You will lose the sense of community that an area like High Mickley needs. Once the public house is gone it will never return and yet again a great British institution will be a thing of the past."
Mickley resident Liam Newton wrote: "Our village has already proven how deeply it cares about its local assets-when our local primary school was threatened with closure, our community successfully campaigned to keep it open. We are a passionate, supportive collection of villages, but allowing the permanent loss of The Bluebell Inn would remove a social gathering space having a long-term impact on community life in Mount Pleasant, the wider Mickley villages, and Stocksfield.
"The Bluebell Inn's closure appears to be failure of past management from the building owners making it difficult for tenants to run a viable business, not a lack of community support. Granting a change of use would permanently destroy a vital social asset before the village or a capable operator has had a fair chance to revive it."
Next steps
The consultation on the scheme remains ongoing. Once completed, the application will be decided either by council officers or a committee of councillors if there is sufficient public interest.
