The Coventry Society is disappointed to see the heritage damage done to another listed building in the city.
The Oak Inn at 120 Gosford Street is a Grade II listed building dating back to the medieval period. It is described as ‘an early timber framed structure altered in the 19th century by refacing in stucco. It has a tiled roof, rusticated ground floor and a wooden cornice at first floor level’.
It has served as a pub since at least 1800, having originally been named the Royal Oak. It changed to The Oak in 1891.
The license for the pub was surrendered two months ago, following complaints about noise and behaviour.
The pub has been converted to a retail shop without the benefit of Planning or Listed Building consent. It is now described as the “Student Stop Supermarket”.
The interior has also been stripped out and refitted and illuminated signs installed on the outside. All of this has been done without permission.
The Coventry Society has reported these contraventions to the City Council’s Conservation Officer and an enforcement case has been opened. It is understood that Enforcement Officers have visited the site and an investigation has been launched.
It can be a criminal offence to carry out work to a listed building without permission and the council can prosecute if work is done illegally.
There have been similar issues with unauthorized works at the nearby Whitefriars Old Ale House at 115 Gosford Street.
