Pub campaigners are questioning how a city pub was able to be demolished before the proposal had been formally approved.

The Sumners pub in Watling Street Road, Fulwood, was knocked down during Thursday (4 October).

Proposals were lodged at the end of August by PWA Planning on behalf of the new, unknown, owners of the pub to demolish it.

But last week heavy machinery moved onto the site and began to pick apart the former drinking place for Preston North End fans, due to its close proximity to Deepdale.

Now the Campaign for Real Ale is asking why its objection to the planning application was not given chance to be heard.

A letter from pub protection officer for CAMRA Lancashire Dave Linley outlined why they wanted the demolition application refused.

He writes: “The Sumners is one of the closest pubs to Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium so in this case, the Community includes Preston North End supporters who used to frequent the pub until it closed, as well as local residents.

“In the area, the Deepdale Hotel has already closed, and the Garrison is closed, with permission for two houses. This has not been implemented, but the building is unlikely to re-open as a pub.

“Therefore, it is even more important that the Sumners is retained, as adequate alternative provision in the area is no longer available.

“No information has been put forward with the application to demonstrate that the use is no longer financially viable. Until it closed, it did serve the needs of the community, albeit that trade had probably declined as the building had been allowed to become run down by the
previous owners, with no attempt to keep the business in good order.

“CAMRA asks that the planning application be refused on the grounds that the pub could still serve the needs of the community, including PNE fans, and that adequate alternative provision has not been made.

“CAMRA also ask that the demolition contractor, or owner, be required to restore the building by replacing the roof slates/tiles, so that the building will not deteriorate any further and can be re-opened as a pub in the future by a new operator.”

Read more: These are the top real ale pubs in Preston as rated by CAMRA

The Sumners was closed by pub company Greene King in July this year and had been on the market for months before that.

What the council had to say

A council spokeswoman said: “Any work carried out without planning permission is done at the owners or applicant’s own risk.

“Public safety is a priority and, having received advice from a number of agencies that the building was in a dangerous condition, no investigation will be made into the demolition.”

Blog Preston approach PWA Planning for comment but received no response.

Read more: New pub to open in what was O’Neill’s in Friargate

What do you think about the Sumners demolition? Did you ever drink there? Let us know in the comments below