Former Pub Could Be Yours – But Not As a Pub

Fancy running your own pub? Well, bad news – you can’t.

But if you want a big old building in Douglas for something else, then the former Bowling Green Hotel on Derby Road could be yours to rent.

Chapman Chartered Surveyors have listed the ex-Heron & Brearley boozer (which is owned by government) for lease, inviting proposals for its future use.

The catch? A restrictive covenant means it cannot be reopened as a pub, so don’t get any ideas about pulling pints.

That’s despite Dr Alex Allinson being involved in putting a stop to this a couple years back, or so we thought (Gef has contacted Dr Al and Okell’s Inns for clarity on this).

The Bowling Green shut its doors back in 2022, leaving regulars to find a new watering hole, and since then, it’s just been sat there, looking all sad and empty.

Now, it’s up for grabs, with Chapman saying it’s suitable for all sorts of things – just not the thing it was originally built for.

So, what could it become? A trendy coffee shop (I heard we need more of them?) A giant soft play centre for adults (Gef likes this idea). The possibilities are endless (as long as those possibilities don’t involve beer).