Oswestry publican blames 'greedy' pub firm for closure

An Oswestry pub is closing amid claims from the manager that the parent company is being greedy.

The general manager of The Golden Lion in Upper Church Street, Oswestry, will be leaving the pub on Thursday, saying increased payments are too much.

Chris Hassall has been running the pub for the last three years and said he would be leaving for good tomorrow.

"Basically Admiral Taverns are being greedy," he said. "We have been negotiating for months and we tried our best but the best was not good enough.

"I would like to say thank you to all our customers over the last three years and wish them well in the future."

Mr Hassall, who will still live in the town, said he believed Admiral Taverns would bring in new management.

Frank Francis, chairman of Oswestry's Pubwatch, said the cost of rents and beer prices was a problem hitting pubs nationwide.

He said: "At the moment there has been a large Government investigation into the closure of pubs. The problem is a concern throughout the UK and is being discussed at Government level.

"It is under investigation about the over pricing of rent and beer costs."

Mr Hassall told his customers he was leaving on the pub's internet social networking page Facebook page.

Andy Hodgeson, for Admiral Taverns, would not comment on the allegations made by Mr Hassall.

He said: "It is a great opportunity for someone to take on a fantastic community pub. We look forward to speaking with individuals who have what it takes to operate the Golden Lion."

On Friday The Bottle and Glass in Picklescott, near Church Stretton, closed its doors.

Landlady Paula Gurney took over when she moved to the area from Oxfordshire in 2008.

She now faces a battle to save her home and business. She said talks were taking place in a last ditch-attempt to save the gastro pub.

By Chrissy Symmons