Supermarket giant Tesco could soon take over a former Arnold pub according to growing rumours – but official plans have yet to be filed with bosses.
Rumours about the future of The Eagle are circulating after the ex-boozer, in Howbeck Road, Arnold, closed down earlier this year and was listed for sale, seeking offers around £550,000.
The pub, which opened in 1979, was extensively refurbished in 2015 and comprised two open-plan bars, a compact kitchen, office, a large ground-floor cellar along with the 30-space car park outside.
It closed down suddenly in May 2024 before reopening up once again but shut down for good in early 2026.
Now, rumours are growing that a large supermarket chain – rumoured to be Tesco – may have its sights set on the spot.
In March this year, plans were submitted to Gedling Borough Council to change the use of the empty space from a pub into a shop, impacting the ground floor only and leaving the upstairs residence unaffected.
However, documents do not state which business or retailer is set to take over the space, describing them only as the “proposed end user”.
Documents said the “proposed end user” will submit a separate planning application for “signage and external alterations” at a different date.
So far, no other application has been submitted to the council for the same address, but a former landlady previously told NottinghamshireLive the pub had been purchased by a supermarket chain.
Now, “street” rumours are circulating that Tesco could end up moving in.
Gedling Borough Council leader, John Clarke (Lab) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that he had heard a “street rumour that it could be Tesco”.
He said: “As a CAMRA member I’m sorry the pub’s shut.
“There’s a fair amount of housing that’s gone on not too far from there so it would be good for people.
“I would welcome it because you see what happens to buildings that are left for a long while, they get damaged.
“The biggest welcome is the building won’t be standing empty and we’ll be collecting council tax, which is an issue when buildings stay empty.”
Nottinghamshire County Councillor John Semens (Ref), who represents Arnold North, said he had heard a similar rumour.
He said: “I think anything being used is better than an empty building.
“It generates income, it’s a service for people. We’ve got enough empty units without adding to them.”
Tesco already had – and has – a presence on the road. In May 2023, the Tesco Express on Howbeck Road – just opposite the former Eagle pub – closed down.
The spot was then replaced by One Stop – which is owned by Tesco – where the convenience store has remained ever since.
The LDRS contacted Tesco for comment on two separate occasions to confirm whether it had plans to take over the site, but the supermarket chain did not respond.
Any future retailer moving into the former Howbeck Road pub will be revealed at a later stage.
