'Listen to residents' - Wolverhampton MP's plea to company which plans to turn city sports pub into Toby Carvery

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Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden is calling on the operators of a public house due to be converted to a Toby restaurant to listen to residents' views over the move.

The Cleveland Arms, in Stowheath Lane in Moseley, is set to undergo a £1.5 million renovation scheme to be transformed into a Toby Carvery when it temporarily shuts the doors on July 29. Owners Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) will be re-opening the premises with the same name the following month.

So far more than 1,200 supporters have signed an online petition for the public house to remain as it is. M&B said the modernisation scheme will create 30 new jobs with current staff given the option to stay on, and that the enterprise which is renowned for hosting celebrity sports talks will 'always remain a community pub'.

Mr McFadden, who is also Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: "I know that change is a part of life and that Mitchells & Butlers have got new plans for this pub, but I really hope that they enter into a proper dialogue with [campaigner] Jane and with the local community - because this pub has been here for a long time and it means a lot to the local area."

He met with campaigners after a banner-waving protest organised by campaigner Jane Hancock outside the premises off Willenhall Road after claims that M&B bosses had not consulted with the community over the changes beforehand.

Residents have also taken to Facebook to respond to the campaign. Geoffrey Gethro Jones posted: "Keep going Very proud of yow G x."

However, Merge Cloud posted: "It will not survive without this. I'm very sorry Jane, you will have to share your pub with others."

M&B told the Express & Star its Toby grill operations director Martin Gosling has written to the MP in response to his concerns, stating: "I am aware of some concerns about this Mitchell's & Butler's project at the Cleveland Arms and have written separately to the organiser of the petition, and also to the Express & Star to summarise the plan, set out the benefits and hopefully allay concerns.

"I have to say I am also aware via social media that there is considerable support for this investment with many local residents who are looking forward to the conversion and see this as a positive initiative for their area."

The company said it knew how important the Cleveland Arms was to the community and that the name will remain alongside the Toby signs.

"The Cleveland Arms will retain a pub and bar area which will continue to show sport and will continue to welcome its darts teams, whilst hosting the famous Toby Carvery breakfast and carvery offer. Toby is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and we are delighted that the Cleveland Arms will soon be part of our Toby Family," it added.

See the petition to "Save the Cleveland Arms" here: https://www.change.org/p/save-the-cleveland-arms.