One of Midsomer Norton’s most prominent former pubs has been sold, more than 12 years after it closed following a major undercover police drugs operation.
The Stones Cross Hotel, at the top of Midsomer Norton High Street, sold at auction last week for £260,000. The new owner is not known.
The sale could finally bring a new chapter for a building which has stood closed since 2014, following one of the most significant police drugs operations seen in Midsomer Norton.
Undercover police operation
The events which led to the Stones Cross closing began with an undercover Avon and Somerset Police investigation known as Operation Henotic.
Police documents show undercover officers were deployed in the Midsomer Norton area 70 times between 1 November 2013 and 22 March 2014.
Undercover officers found widespread drug dealing connected with the Stones Cross.
Police said 20 suspects supplied controlled drugs inside the pub, while another three supplied drugs nearby after deals had been arranged while officers were inside the Stones Cross.
At the subsequent licensing hearing, police said undercover officers had witnessed 42 supplies of drugs on the premises.
Class A, B and C drugs were involved, with police saying the substance sold most frequently was cocaine.
There were also allegations involving the handling of stolen goods.
Operation Henotic eventually resulted in the arrest of 24 people, with eight initially remanded in custody.
Following the police operation, 35 people were eventually convicted of drug-related offences at Bristol Crown Court.
Licence suspended and pub closed
The police investigation led Avon and Somerset Police to ask B&NES Council for an urgent review of the Stones Cross premises licence.
At an interim Licensing Sub-Committee hearing on 23 April 2014, councillors suspended the premises licence, meaning that the Stones Cross was unable to continue trading while a full review was carried out.
The full hearing took place on 20 May 2014.
Police Licensing Officer Martin Purchase described the evidence uncovered during the investigation as a “horrifying catalogue of drug dealing and criminality”.
Superintendent Richard Cadden told the hearing that it was one of the worst cases he had encountered during his 29-year police career.
Police said those arrested as part of the operation faced more than 100 charges.
The licence holder argued that the pub could operate successfully under different management and proposed a series of new conditions, including excluding people associated with the investigation.
However, the Licensing Sub-Committee concluded that imposing additional conditions would not be sufficient.
Councillors found there had been a “total disregard” for the licensing objectives and decided to revoke the premises licence.
The Stones Cross never reopened.
Attempts to redevelop the site
Following the pub’s closure, attention turned to what could be done with the building and its large site.
Plans have previously been submitted for housing on land associated with the former pub.
One proposal sought outline permission for six homes with a private driveway and parking.
That application was refused by B&NES Council in April 2020.
Planning officers considered that the proposed development would harm the character of the conservation area and raised concerns about the proposed access.
The Stones Cross building itself was described during the planning process as an “attractive and authentic Victorian pub”.
At the time, planning officers also considered that the pub could potentially reopen without retaining all of its existing car parking area.
No further planning applications have been submitted.
Building now needs complete refurbishment
The property comprises a main bar, second smaller bar, kitchen, staff or living room, first-floor function room with its own bar, three bedrooms, bathroom and WC.
However, according to the auctioneers, the building is now said to require “complete refurbishment/redevelopment”.
The property consists of two titles: approximately 0.25 acres containing the main building and a further 0.19 acres of land to the rear, giving a total site of around 0.44 acres.
City & Rural Property Auctions describes it as offering potential for refurbishment, redevelopment or alternative uses, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.
