Thousands sign petition to stop council repainting patriotic 'poppy red' pub after just ONE neighbour complains

Inspired by his six-year stint in the Army, Mr Elliot chose to paint the windowsills and door frame of the establishment a "poppy red" colour.

The veteran also commissioned an artist to paint a Stoke City FC mural and crest on the walls.

But the leaseholder says he was told by Labour-run Stoke-on-Trent City Council the artwork must be replaced with more "muted" colours as it is within the Hartshill Conservation Area.

Mr Elliot has vowed that he "genuinely didn't know" about the guidelines of the conservation area until the council alerted him to a complaint from one resident.

Now, an online petition has been set up to stop the pub from being repainted.

A statement on the Change.org page reads: "Shockingly, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has ordered [Mr Elliot] to repaint everything in dull creams and greys, citing 'conservation area guidelines'.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Jobsworth council orders pub landlord to paint over £15,000 renovation after just ONE resident complained - 'I feel betrayed!'
• Meet the army of volunteers leading the fightback against Britain's 'flytipping epidemic'
• Neighbour made to feel like 'public enemy number one' after huge patriotic gesture upsets his street

"This demand comes after just one complaint. One resident’s objection now threatens to erase a vibrant display of heritage, remembrance, and community spirit.

"This couldn’t come at a worse time. Pubs across the country are struggling to survive, and the Jolly Potters is no exception.

"In recent years it has passed through numerous hands and repeatedly fought to keep its doors open.

"Now, instead of supporting James's efforts to restore it as a thriving community pub, the council is undermining them.

"The decision feels especially unfair in a year when Stoke-on-Trent City Council themselves are celebrating 100 years of city status - yet at the same time, they are trying to silence a proud display of the very symbols that represent our city’s history and identity."

"We, the undersigned, call on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to reverse this decision immediately.

"The Jolly Potters’ artwork is not an eyesore - it’s a symbol of pride, remembrance, and our city’s 100-year heritage."

More than 1,500 people have so far penned their names to the petition, which was set up just hours ago.

Mr Elliot, who described feeling "betrayed" by the council's actions, said dozens of people have also signed a petition being kept at the pub.

"We have done a written one for behind the bar for people to coming in and that has had towards 50 signatures on that," he told GB News.

"Everyone is a bit shocked by it to be honest. People were ringing me thinking it was a joke and saying they didn’t know it was going on."

The pub operator earlier said he must choose from a list of "British Standard References for paint" in order to keep within the conservation area guidelines, which include colours such as white, grey, and pink.

The Jolly Potters faces a forced new paint job as soon as next week, with its windowsills and door frames to be painted in cream and grey tones.

"It is going to look massively depressing," the 34-year-old told the People's Channel.

"I have got some green banners that advertise ‘live sports here, serving drinks’ - and I've even got to take those down.”

GB News has approached Stoke-on-Trent City Council for comment.