Concerns over plan to revamp pub on Roman ruins

Campaigners in York are challenging plans to update a historic pub in the city.

More than 8,000 signatures have been gathered on a petition by the Roman Bath's current licensee against what they say are plans to turn the venue into a "sports bar".

Owner Stonegate's proposals for the St Sampson's Square site include moving the bar and installing new televisions, as well as replacing its signage.

A spokesperson for the firm said the six-figure revamp would pay homage to its Roman history and ensure it could thrive for many years to come.

The pub is known for the ruins of an ancient Roman bath below it which are open to the public.

The petition against the proposals, by Sharon Stinson, said the pub had served as a "hub for the night life scene and a social centre for many locals and a venue for live music".

It asked: "Do you want another soulless sports bar at the cost of losing a gem of local, national and even international value?"

The plans come as part of the pub's takeover by the Stonegate-owned Craft Union chain, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application said the changes would make better use of the inside area which would protect the pub's future use.

A spokesperson for the owner said the plans would also see it remain as a community-focused venue.

The spokesperson said: "We understand the importance of paying homage to the pub's incredible Roman history that will continue to be available for all to see.

"Rest assured, the goal of the investment is to enhance the overall offer, while keeping the historical Roman features intact that makes this pub so special.

"The transition to Craft Union in 2025 will also mean the pub's famous local live music scene will be continuing to thrive with a brand-new state-of-the-art audio-visual system set to be installed."

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