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Campaigners aren't letting the Glegg Arms in Heswall go. They're calling for the history-rich pub to be preserved after plans have been made to demolish it and replace it with an extension for the Premier Inn next to it.
The pub dates back to the 1840s and sadly closed in 2024 after Whitbread, who own both Premier Inn and Beefeater, integrated a number of its Beefeater restaurants into the Premier Inn brand. The building now only serves hotel guests.
As reported by Birkenhead News and us, Whitbread has submitted proposals to replace the former pub with a new building that would increase the hotel's capacity from 87 to 111 rooms. Planning documents state the replacement has been designed to mirror the former Glegg Arms and replicate its appearance.
But the Heswall Society and local councillors have criticised the idea. They are urging the company to keep the 19th-century charm of the building rather than demolish it for commercial purposes.
Councillors Andrew Hodson, Graham Davies and Kathy Hodson are backing efforts to find an alternative design that preserves the historic frontage.
Councillor Andrew Hodson said: "There is a lot of history attached to this building, and it would be disastrous to let it be demolished."
He described the building as a gateway to the Wirral and comically questioned "who would want to stay in a hotel on a roundabout"? A fair assessment.
In response to the plans, The Heswall Society has launched a petition opposing the demolition, arguing that recreating the appearance of the original building is not an adequate substitute for preserving the historic structure. More than 400 people have already signed the petition.
A Whitbread spokesperson said the company had spent the past six months working with Wirral Council's planning and heritage teams to explore whether the existing building could be retained.
They said structural and design constraints meant it was not possible to convert the building into a hotel that met Premier Inn's standards.
The spokesperson added: "Our reworked plans have been shaped through that engagement, and we have worked hard to retain the essence of the Glegg Arms in our new designs.
"Our plans will deliver a high-quality development that helps us meet strong demand for hotel rooms in Heswall, supporting local jobs and delivering investment in the area, and we will continue to work closely and openly with the council as they consider the plans," they continued.
