St Martins pub boss aiming to serve up a jobs boost
A publican in a Shropshire village is hoping to reverse the trend of pub closures in the county by extending his business and creating jobs.
John Smout has submitted plans to extend the Keys pub in St Martins, near Oswestry, following the removal of a marquee at the site.
The move would safeguard the future of the pub and create more jobs, Mr Smout said.
He said: "When I took over the pub two years ago it was rundown and in a pretty bad state.
"It took eight weeks to get it ready to open and we have managed to change it from a rundown pub to what is now the heart of the village," he added.
"We want to keep improving and keep the pub successful.
"We started doing food about 12 months ago and because of the bookings we want to create more space."
Mr Smout: "We don't know yet how many new jobs there will be because it depends on things go but we could be looking at three more full-time jobs and four part-time."
The planned two storey extension to be built at the rear of the pub would include a lounge, a bar servery, a restaurant and a games room.
The extension would be built in place of a marquee which currently stands at the rear of the pub and which is used as a function room.
Shropshire Council is aiming to make a decision on the application by June 25.
