COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Police found a large amount of the drug at various stages of growth



A tip-off led to police discovering a huge cannabis factory in production in a former well-known pub in Nuneaton town centre.

Warwickshire Police has confirmed that the discovery of what has been described as a 'significant' amount of cannabis in the former Kingsholme pub was not a planned operation.

It was a call from a member of the public that led them to finding the cannabis factory inside what was once a key part of the famed 'Abbey Run'.

As previously reported, officers made the discovery at the pub, also formerly known as the Coach and Horses, on Sunday afternoon (April 25).

They are still trying to find out who was behind growing the substantial amount of cannabis, which was at different stages, and the mains electricity into the property had been bypassed.

Officers particularly want to hear from anyone who has seen anyone coming in or out of the delipated property.

Warwickshire Police said: "The plants and equipment were seized, and enquiries are now ongoing to identify and locate those responsible.

"It’s believed two men, suspected to be Vietnamese, were seen to leave the property when officers attended."

Lots of attempts have been made to bring the former pub building back into use.

It has been on the market for more than a decade and is often referred to as an 'eyesore'.

At one point it formed part of the huge regeneration plan for the Abbey Street area but then the building was dropped from the proposals.

There have also been failed attempts to turn the building into a takeaway.

Prominent former Nuneaton town centre pub hit by arsonists again



A once popular Nuneaton town centre pub has been hit by arsonists again. Fire crews were spotted at the former old Kingsholme pub this afternoon (November 12).

Smoke was seen rising from the building. Two fire engines raced to the scene, with firefighters using a nearby water hydrant to run a hose reel into the building.

As a result of the two fire engines at the scene, one at the end of the street, buses could not get down the road to access the bus gate onto Jubilee Way. It was the second arson attack at the pub in five months after crews were called out back in June when thick black smoke was seen billowing from the building.

At the time the former pub building, which was once part of the famed 'Abbey Run', was due to be boarded up. But now it appears trespassers have got inside again - and this follows a long-running trend as the building has been targeted ever since it closed in June 2000.

In May last year, police found a huge cannabis factory in production inside the former pub and there have been reports of squatters inside the building too in the past. It has stood empty for more than two decades and attempts to bring it back into use have failed.

Some have described the building as an 'eyesore' while others have appealed for it to be pulled down. At one point it formed part of the huge regeneration plan for the Abbey Street area but then the building was dropped from the proposals.

There have also been failed attempts to turn the building into a takeaway and there have been numerous attempts to sell the building too.