The Archer Campaign

The Archer down the ages
• 1790-1810: Probable building date.
• 1822: First documentary evidence of The Archer appears on the Survey of the Parish of Wolstanton.
• 1857: The pub is known as The New Inn and is advertised for sale.
• 1993: Newcastle Borough Council sets up Wolstanton Conservation area,. The Archer is just yards outside the boundary.
• February 1997: The Archdiocese of Birmingham unveil plans to demolish The Archer for a car park to St Wulstans' School and Church Hall.
• August 1997: Newcastle Borough Council throws out the demolition plans, but Allied Domecq say they will close The Archer anyway.
• September 1997: Newcastle Borough Council will start consultation on extending the conservation area to Include The Archer.
• 1998: The Archer closed
• 2001: The pub re-opened as the New Smithy

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save an historic pub have welcomed a decision to place it in a conservation area. They believe the Newcastle Borough Council decision will help safeguard the future of The Archer in Wolstanton.
The hostelry has been under threat since owners Allied Domecq Leisure and neighbouring St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church began negotiations over the sale of the building. The church wanted to buy the pub and bulldoze it for a car park.
Although a demolition plan was rejected by councillors last August, campaigners have been lobbying the council to extend the Wolstanton conservation area to give The Archer protection in the future. The pub is still up for sale. Pub regulars and local residents, who formed pressure-group "Friends of the Archer" to save the inn, are delighted now that councillors have agreed to declare the pub part of the special zone.
Spokesman Terry Fitzmaurice said "We hope now the historical value and centrality to the community of the pub has been recognised it will help attract a buyer who will preserve it for the future."
An Allied Domecq spokesman said: "The pub is still on the market and interest has been shown from a number of buyers."
(Extract courtesy of Sentinel newspaper 25/11/1997)

The 'Save the Archer' campaign started in 1997. Unfortunately the pub closed in 1998, but was not allowed to be demolished. On 21st June 2001 the pub re-opened as the New Smithy Inn.