Five Telford pubs up for sale
Five pubs in Telford – including one believed to be one of the oldest in the town – have all gone up for sale with six figure asking prices.
Five pubs in Telford – including one believed to be one of the oldest in the town – have all gone up for sale with six figure asking prices.
The historic White Lion in Wellington is on the market for £150,000 along with four others in Telford. Although it is thought by townsfolk to be the oldest pub, town historian Allan Frost said it was almost impossible to tell because appropriate land deeds were not always kept.
He said: "Some people believe the White Lion to be the oldest, but I would like them to prove it.
"There are certainly other contenders and it is extremely difficult because people did not keep great records of pubs and the deeds were very ambiguous until about the 1820s."
Also for sale in Wellington is Rasputins in the town centre which is offering its freehold and contents for £190,000.
The most expensive of the five is the Fountain Inn in New Road, Wrockwardine Wood, which is selling its freehold and contents for £300,000.
This is followed by the Red Lion in Madeley and the Trench Tavern, which are both up for £250,000.
David Wilson, a spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association, said many pubs were suffering in the current climate but offered advice for anyone thinking of taking over a bar in the county.
Mr Wilson said: "There are great opportunities and Britain is still in love with the pub.
"If you get the offer right it can be a success. Many have done well from offering food.
"It is a very tough market but people want to pursue their dreams and run a pub.
"They are a difficult business to make a success in the current market and we are still seeing 25 pubs closing every week in the country.
"I would say to anyone to seek the best professional advice, particularly if you are new to the trade.
"It is challenging at a time when beer tax has gone up 35 per cent in the last three years and we are trying to get the Government to help small family businesses.
"It is the sort of business that you need to go into with your eyes wide open, but it can be very rewarding."
For more details on any of the pubs, contact agents Fleurets in Birmingham on (0121) 236 5252.
