Joule's Brewery The New Inn in Harborne set for refurb

The New Inn in Harborne was taken over by Joule’s Brewery back in May 2024 before proposals to refresh the ‘cherished local landmark’ were later revealed.

Plans were lodged for the revamp, which include landscaping and covered canopies in the beer garden as well as a rear and side extension to provide additional event space.

According to a council officer’s report, the proposals also mean the internal arrangement is set to be “reconfigured to better suit a modern pub layout”.

The plans were recommended for approval ahead of a planning meeting today, with the council officer writing: “The development is acceptable in principle and would support the continued operation of the Public House.

“The development also raises no significant concern in regard to design and appearance, highway safety or biodiversity.”

The officer’s report continued that concerns related to noise and disturbance were noted but added that “appropriate conditions” had been added to address those matters.

“The built development has been found to preserve the significance of the Conservation Area,” it went on to say.

“As such the proposal is recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

Speaking at the meeting, planning committee Cllr Martin Brooks said: “I think the report gets the balance right in terms of the concerns of residents but also the needs of local businesses to thrive.

“It places some conditions in terms of the time the beer garden can operate for instance.”

Cllr Gareth Moore added: “I’m happy to support this application – hospitality is struggling at the moment.

“It’s important that we support pubs. Sadly one of the downsides of being on this committee for so long is seeing how many pubs we’ve lost.

“This is a very well-used pub, it’ll be good to see it keep going.”

The plans were ultimately approved by the committee at this morning’s meeting.

‘We know how much this place means to locals’

Speaking about the project last year, Joule’s development director Anna Brakel said: “This has been years in the making for us, and we are incredibly proud to finally see our plans move forward.

“We have been humbled by the support from the Harborne community, and it means the world to us that people care so deeply about The New Inn.

“We are committed to preserving everything that makes it special while bringing it up to the highest standard.”

Joule’s managing director Vicky Colclough added: “As a small, independent brewery, we have been saving up for an investment like this for a long time.

“It’s a huge moment for us, and we feel incredibly grateful to be in a position to make this kind of commitment to a historic pub like The New Inn.

“We know how much this place means to the locals and we share that sentiment completely.

“Our job is to make sure we do right by the pub and the community who love it.”