Campaign to reopen pub linked to Dick Turpin

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the owners of a pub, believed to have been frequented by highwayman Dick Turpin, to repair and reopen the building.

The Grade II-listed Cock Inn in Sibson, near Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, dates back more than 750 years but shut in 2019 and has been closed since.

County councillor Joshua Melen said the pub was "nationally significant" and "visibly deteriorated".

Owners Star Pubs & Bars said they hoped "to be able to confirm a new operator soon, and with it the start date for refurbishment works".

Campaigners said the Cock Inn was among the oldest surviving inns in England, predating the Battle of Bosworth and was rumoured to have been used by highwayman Dick Turpin as a refuge.

They are also urging planning authority Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to ensure the listed building does not fall into disrepair.

Melen said: "The Cock Inn is not just another village pub. It is a building of national historic importance.

"[The owners] have a responsibility to safeguard this historic building. It is vital that urgent restoration works are now undertaken before further damage occurs.

"My grandparents were courting here in the 60s, my parents came here when they were dating in the 80s and I had my first ever pint here too.

"It's got an important family tie for me and ultimately I hope that helps people see why it's such an important local feature."

Ross Jones, 73, from Sibson, said: "Looking at it now, it's just shocking, the owners have an obligation to maintain it.

"To leave such an iconic building looking like this is wrong."

Nicky Sheldon, from Sibson, said the pub used to be the community hub of the village.

"It's a real sorrowful state.

"One of the main reasons we moved here was because of this quintessential English pub which sadly it isn't anymore - it's a real shame."

Hinckley and Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans said: "The petition shows the strength of feeling from residents, and I hope it will help to focus minds.

"I have not only met with everyone involved but visited the Cock Inn to try to help steer progress, and while I understand there have been encouraging words, I hope we can see definitive action."

A spokesman for Star Bars & Pubs said "circumstances beyond our control" stopped the pub from being refurbished and reopened in 2025.

They said: "Despite this, we were able to undertake extensive structural works prior to commencement of the refurbishment itself.

"We immediately began the recruitment process again and we're happy to say there has been a lot of strong interest.

"We hope to be able to confirm a new operator soon, and with it the start date for refurbishment works, which will see the renovation of the building, restoring its many original features and transforming The Cock Inn."

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said it recognised "local feeling" and had approved "listed building consent for repair works" to what it called a "historically-significant" building while monitoring progressed.

It added its conservation officer had been in discussions with the owner's project manager with a meeting scheduled this month to address "immediate concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of the building".

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