A pub landlord is not so jolly at being forced to repaint his beloved Stoke City-themed boozer after just one complaint – presumably from a bitter Port Vale fan.
James Elliot, 34, spent £15,000 covering The Jolly Potters in Stoke City FC colours and decking the pub garden out in bright red and white.
But following a single complaint from a nightmare neighbour, town hall bosses told him the poppy red paint breached ‘conservation area guidelines’.
James had splashed out on painting the window sills and doors as well as a Stoke City mural in the beer garden and the city’s crest on a wall.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council ordered he replaced the garish red with more muted colours because the pub lies within the Hartshill Conservation Area.
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Thousands of fuming locals signed a petition calling on the local authority to reverse their decision after they threatened enforcement action.
But leaseholer James said he has now made the ‘tough decision’ to comply with the decision and has since repainted the pub in more neutral colours.
James, who spent six years in the army, said: ‘I’m just trying to focus on looking forward with a positive outlook now and put this all behind me.
‘Most people were shocked by it to be honest. People were ringing me thinking it was a joke.
‘It just seems there are a few people don’t want a pub there and for some reason someone has taken offence to the red.
‘I felt betrayed and I tried to fight it.’
In a lengthy post on social media, the pub added: ‘Unfortunately, the red has gone…but the Stoke and Potter’s spirit will always stay inside these walls.
‘After what I’d call positive talks with the local council, I’ve taken the tough decision to follow the area’s conservation colours and accept the error made.
‘This will be part of a bigger plan to develop The Jolly Potters in partnership with the council.
‘I can’t thank you all enough for the incredible support – it means so much to me and my young family.
‘This might feel like one step back, but the aim is to make a massive leap forward very soon.
‘On a lighter note – the doors are open, the beer is cold, and Stoke are playing this weekend.
‘Come down, support the pub, and back the Mighty Potters! Up the Potters!’
The online petition set up last week on Change starts here attracted more than 3,000 signatures.
It read: ‘This couldn’t come at a worse time.
‘Pubs across the country are struggling to survive, and the Jolly Potters is no exception.
‘In recent years it has passed through numerous hands and repeatedly fought to keep its doors open.
‘Now, instead of supporting James’s efforts to restore it as a thriving community pub, the council is undermining them.
‘The decision feels especially unfair in a year when Stoke-on-Trent City Council themselves are celebrating 100 years of city status – yet at the same time, they are trying to silence a proud display of the very symbols that represent our city’s history and identity.
‘We, the undersigned, call on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to reverse this decision immediately.
‘The Jolly Potters’ artwork is not an eyesore – it’s a symbol of pride, remembrance, and our city’s 100-year heritage.’
Councillor Chris Robinson said he was pleased a solution could be reached.
‘We’d like to thank the landlord for engaging positively with us regarding the conservation area rules.
‘We understand the passion behind the recent refurbishment and appreciate the leaseholder’s commitment to creating a welcoming space for the community.
‘We’re committed to supporting local businesses and want to see venues like the Jolly Potters thrive while also protecting the heritage that makes our city unique.’
In a statement last week, a Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokeswoman previously said: ‘The owners of the building have been made aware that the works carried out required planning permission and our teams have been in regular contact with them.
‘So far, the owners have not engaged with us to take the necessary steps.
‘We have made it clear that failure to repaint the building using the approved colours, or to address the planning breaches, will result in enforcement action.
‘The Jolly Potters pub is located in a conservation zone – meaning the area has special architectural or historic interest.
‘This means that any changes to buildings need planning permission to preserve the character of the area.’