The Maypole Pub.

The Maypole Pub along Bassnage Road, Halesowen opened it’s doors many, many decades ago, named after the tradition of Maypole dancing (celebrated around Whitsun and summertime) and which many schools in the local community used partake in (Hasbury Primary School for one), some Maypole dancing still takes place throughout Britain today! Once you enter this establishment, you clearly witness the buildings’ commemoration to its deep Halesowen Roots; the interior design reflects upon years of historical Halesowen happenings and unforgettable Landmarks, some still present today while others have been destroyed, past townspeople including Poets, Authors and key Ancestors, décor stretching to more recent times, Teams and interests. The Pub has no doubt, reaffirmed it’s uniquely, personal Heritage right here in the heart of Halesowen in Hasbury and Hayley Green. This is not something we simply can lose.

Who goes there!

A true Halesonian has had a pint, glass of wine or high-spirited tipple in this public house. If you haven’t, probably best you get yourself down there to enjoy its comfortable home-from-home lounge. This small, corner nook of land the pub resides on, has seen generations of families frequent this little treasure, keeping its lounge and bar separate (just like the good ‘ole pubs) still enables public and private functions (which you can hire for Weddings, Engagements, Birthdays, Award Ceremonies, Christenings and all other occasions), themed celebrations and scheduled entertainment for all ages. Current fittle include freshly made-to-order crusty cobs, chips and bars snacks, and great for meeting your mucker for a pint or two. You will see the Darts Team practising down there, The Lovely ‘Lonely Hearts Ladies’, Teams use this for meetings, the Pigeon Club and visitors get to pick from a hearty choice music (of all genres) from the free jukebox on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Maypole has a great friendly, community atmosphere – pop down on a lunchtime for a break from work, some even keep going on laptops (dedication), catch-up with family over drinks, take a pit stop walking from park to park to get some crisps and a lemonade. On your way back from the town, get off a stop earlier and enjoy some me time or grab your drinking buddy/ladies and get down there!

The Committee.

The ‘Friends of The Maypole’ initially gathered in May to form a voted-in committee. This collation of ages, gender, background and occupation had a shared interest and put themselves forward to volunteer their time and resources in forming a #SaveTheMaypole Campaign and the Group to protect the pub. All members of the public are welcome and are encouraged to attend every meeting – so come along!

When? Find us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheMaypole and Twitter @TheMaypolePub where we post the latest news about our Campaign. Pop into The Maypole too, they keep details about the #SaveTheMaypole campaign on the Committee Group’s behalf.

The Story Now…

The Maypole was one of the local Pub’s sold from the Marston’s portfolio to NewRiver Retail. Marston’s haven’t been overly helpful (in enabling pub promotions or supporting us in keeping this establishment price-competitive for visitors) we’ve contacted them through social media but we’ve had no response. We’re hoping they’ll get in contact soon.

Plans released on Wednesday 10th June 2015 and are as follows:

 

“The proposals, for a new convenience store at Bassnage Road, Halesowen will provide:

 

·      A sensitively designed new building

·      More choice for local people, reducing the need to travel to shop further afield

·      A modern, spacious facility that will primarily attract customers on foot

·      An in-store bakery and focus on fresh produce with the Co-op’s ‘Fair and Square’ prices ensuring value for money across a range of staple groceries

·      Adequate car parking

·      New jobs and training opportunities for local residents

The plans, shown opposite, involve the demolition of the existing building. The design of the new building will be sympathetic to neighbouring properties.

The new store would offer local people high quality fresh produce at great value and would increase choice for local residents. It will be focused on meeting day to day shopping needs and it is expected that the majority of customers will visit by foot from the immediate area.

18 car parking spaces will be provided and this is expected to be more than adequate given that the average stay at stores of this size is around 10 minutes. There will also be a dedicated delivery area.

The Co-operative always seeks to employ from the local community and the new store is expected to create around 20 new jobs. Industry-leading training and skills

·        The new store will provide:

·        Fresh fruit, vegetables and meat

·        Ready meals

·        In store bakery

·        Food to go

·        Grocery essentials

·        Free-to-use cash machine

 

We hope that you will agree that this is an exciting new facility for you and your local community. You can find out more information by contacting Lee Jameson on 0207 242 0170 or give your feedback by emailing lee@polityuk.com”

Where are we now?

We’ve submitted our ACV Application to Dudley MBC and are patiently waiting for news to whether our application is successful. They had misplaced this it but reassured us it is in the right hands. We’re hoping for a response around August 2015, during this time the ‘Friends of The Maypole’ Committee will provide a date for the next meeting.

We post all our updates within The Maypole Pub and online via our Official Facebook page and Twitter profile.

Now is not the time to sit back. It is not the time to allow NewRiver Retail to bulldoze, break and rip apart our heritage; all for what? Another ‘Convenience’ Store selling ‘Fresh food, Bakery, Ready Meals- seriously? We can obtain everything we want from Tesco 0.1 mile away and our THORNHILL SHOPS 0.4 miles away; down the road we have Aldi, Lydl, Asda and more… Do we want to keep allowing convenience stores to take away from what’s left of our real Halesowen stores? When does ‘Convenience’ actually become an inconvenience? Now.
We do not want over-saturation of retail built over our Halesowen legacies, heritage and tradition.

Only the people of Halesowen can save a Halesowen Pub (or Institute, Park, Carnival…) Now is the time to stand up and take back our community, our local right to enjoy our traditions, our families’ traditions, create a new tradition whereby we stand together and say ‘NO Thank you!’.  We meet, we form and we unite.

Your support is not just welcomed, but it’s necessary in keeping this community-felt landmark-of-a Pub protected and safe-guarded, the question is - are you ready to help us?

 

We need to say a Special Thanks to the Friends of the Haden Cross!

The Sandwell Pub, The Haden Cross (on Haden Hill Road) have been pioneers in helping the Friends of The Maypole, as well as harnessing their own Battle with NewRiver Retail. Tim and the committee have spared their time in helping Friends of The Maypole with processes and procedures. We urge members of their local community to support them too.  Support their Campaign on Twitter @HadenCrossInn or pop in to the pub!

 

 

Contact us: savethemaypole@hotmail.com AND friendsofmaypole@aol.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheMaypole

Twitter: @TheMaypolePub - #SaveTheMaypole