Plans to refurbish The New Inn in Harborne have been approved by Birmingham City Council, with councillors noting the hospitality industry is 'struggling'. The decision was made at a planning meeting on July 10, 2026, following a report that recommended approval.
Refurbishment Details
The New Inn, taken over by Joule's Brewery in May 2024, will undergo a significant refresh. Plans include landscaping and covered canopies in the beer garden, as well as a rear and side extension to provide additional event space. Internally, the layout will be reconfigured to better suit a modern pub layout, according to a council officer's report.
The council officer wrote: '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.' Concerns about noise and disturbance were addressed with appropriate conditions, and the built development was found to preserve the significance of the Conservation Area.
Council Support for Pubs
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.'
Community and Brewery Commitment
Joule's development director Anna Brakel previously 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.'
