Berkshire pub with controversial name closed for good

The Black Boys Inn on the A4310 just outside Hurley closed in the latter half of 2021 and never reopened.

Its last operators, a company called Mode Da Vie, attempted to breathe new life into the pub to host live music, films, and other events in the summer months.

Although the licensing application for that project received 84 objections, the application was granted.

Despite the project being approved, the Black Boys Inn closed shortly afterwards in August, with its owners Newport Ventures being owed £24,316.

Now the pub is set to be converted into a family home after a project was recently approved by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s planning department.

In order for the conversion to take place, the applicant produced a viability assessment to demonstrate that it would be ‘unviable’ to bring the Black Boys Inn back into use.

A report by Kempton Carr Croft chartered surveyors showed the pub has had a troubled history in recent years.

Back in 2019,  two break-ins occurred which led to fences being put up to secure the site, which were subsequently refused planning permission and had to be taken down.

Later that year, The Black Boys closed due to poor sales, with figures from brewery owners Brakspear showing declining purchases for premium drinks such as Amstell, Shipyard IPA and Symonds cider.

Brakspear subsequently ended its connection to the pub, selling it for £750,000 in August 2020 according to property website The Move Market.

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Council planning officer Edward Vaudin generally agreed with the findings of the viability report.

However, he did observe that the application failed to provide the full trading accounts for the last three full years of trading of the business, in accordance with the Royal Borough’s planning policy.

Ultimately, Mr Vaudin recommended that the conversion of the pub be approved, with the project being granted planning consent on Friday, March 8.

The pub can now be converted into a living and dining area and a separate kitchen and play room, with two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.

Ground floor plans to convert the Black Boys Inn in Hurley into a home. Credit: Storyboard Design

An attached barn will provide a one-bedroom annexe, with ‘Barn A’, which used to function as a two-bedroom B&B being retained, albeit for permanent occupancy.

First floor plans to convert the Black Boys Inn in Hurley into a home. Credit: Storyboard Design

The pub got its name from Black Boys Lane, a single carriageway which runs the main road to the River Thames.

According to its previous owners, the Inn dates back to the 16th century, but is not a listed building or designated heritage asset.

It’s understood that the street name ‘Black Boy’ either relates to mining heritage, or a reference to King Charles II, who acquired the nickname as a child.

Last year, Phil Haseler, then executive member for highways for the Royal Borough’s Conservative administration said there were ‘no plans’ to rename the lane.