Refurbishment plans for The Dirty Bottles pub in Alnwick approved by council
Refurbishment works at an Alnwick pub have been approved by planners.
Greene King has received planning permission for various repairs at The Dirty Bottles.
It plans to replace the existing bar servery counter and backfitting counter at the Narrowgate venue which it bought for a seven-figure sum in January 2025.
There are also plans to replace window frames and doors and repair roof tiles, guttering and chimney stacks.
A planning report on the applicant’s behalf states: “The proposals represent a positive investment from Greene King to improve the quality of facilities on site and support the current offering to the community.
"The proposed development seeks to enhance the public house’s overall functionality whilst supporting the building’s long-term vitality and viability from an operational perspective.”
It adds: “The applicant is keen to refurbish and repair these Grade II Listed Buildings to offer an improved bar and restaurant service and provide a new and exciting venue offering food and drink, with indoor and outdoor service areas.”
The report adds that the works have been identified as being essential following specialist surveys. There were no objections.
The building is rich with history, believed to date back to the 1600s, known by locals for its folklore and ‘the legend of the dirty bottles’ and has been serving as a pub for around 200 years.
Formerly known as Ye Old Cross, the venue was saved by its former owner from becoming a block of flats in 2014.