Community pub to re-open after refurbisment

A pub is set to re-open under community ownership following nearly eight months of renovation work.

The Crown Inn, at Newcastle-on-Clun, was bought in February with the help of a government grant and a not-for-profit group has been set up to run the hostelry until a tenant can be found.

The Friends of the Crown Inn opened it briefly in March, to show people the pub in its original state, before it closed for refurbishment. The group raised funds to save it, after it closed in 2023.

The group said the pub had a few rough edges, which will be smoothed over the coming weeks and, after its reopening on Friday evening, it would open from Thursday to Saturday until the work was complete.

In 2024, Newcastle Parish Council was given £270,000 from the government's Community Ownership Fund to help purchase it and carry out essential work.

The parish council said the work would "bring it up to date and attract a competent, ambitious tenant".

The council also said it was "especially grateful to The Friends of The Crown Inn and those supporting their events, and to the workforce that has renovated and developed the building".

The Crown Inn at Newcastle will reopen its doors at 17:00 GMT on Friday.

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