Councillors demand protections for under-threat Mountain Daisy pub which is of ‘outstanding historic importance’

Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland want the Mountain Daisy – deemed to be of outstanding historic importance – to be saved from conversion, after the shock closure of the pub earlier this week.

Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland are urging the City Council to protect a community pub from being converted into housing or shops – and for its historic interiors to be protected from damage or destruction.

The Mountain Daisy pub on Hylton Road in Millfield has a Grade II* listing with English Heritage. It also has a three star heritage pubs grading from CAMRA in recognition of its ‘outstanding historic importance’.

The pub’s buffet bar area retails original floor to ceiling ceramic tiling and bar from the Edwardian era and is deemed to be of national historical importance.

The pub closed earlier this week, with the landlord informing customers that the building had been sold - with the new owner intending for it to be used for another purpose. However, changing the building from a pub would require planning permission.

Lib Dem councillors representing the Millfield and Pallion areas want the Mountain Daisy to be saved as a pub – and say the Council should refuse any attempts by the owners to convert the building into housing, shops or any other use.

Commenting, Lib Dem councillor Steve Donkin said:

“Our local community has been shocked at the abrupt closure of the Mountain Daisy, with the licensee being given just 24 hours by the building’s owners to close the business and shut up shop.

“The pub has a Grade II* listing with English Heritage and is clearly of national importance for its historic pub interiors. We need urgent reassurances from Sunderland Council that planning authorities will be keeping a close eye on what is going on at the Mountain Daisy – and will take action to stop any of the historic interiors being unlawfully altered or destroyed.

"The pub is a hub for the community and is a vital part of our social fabric. Together with its historic interiors, I am clear that the building needs to be kept as a pub. Sunderland Council must reassure residents that any attempts to convert the listed building into housing, shops or a take-away will be rejected and this historic building will be saved as a community local.”