Future of North Shropshire pubs in doubt

Both The Railway Inn at Yorton and The Inn at Grinshill, both near Wem, are in danger of closing for good – sparking disappointment from residents.

The Railway Inn is under threat because the family that own it are selling up after more than 80 years.

Meanwhile, The Inn at Grinshill could be converted into a home after its owners decided the business will no longer work.

Residents in Yorton have launched a campaign to save the village’s only pub.

More than 200 people packed into nearby Clive Village Hall on Monday night to show their support.

Residents will now put together a community co-operative bid to buy the pub.

Spokesman Simon Rouse said: "216 packed into the village hall and 216 people voted in support of what we are trying to do – for the pub to be run by the community, for the community.

"We are looking to raise funds through community shareholders, grants and low interest loans.

"We don't know how much the pub is going to go on the market for yet, but are looking at getting about 250 shareholders. So far, we had about 60 to 70 in three days."

Mr Rouse, who said he has been going to the pub since he was five, added: "The family who own it are great. They are local people who don't want to see their legacy destroyed."

Meanwhile, a planning application submitted to Shropshire Council has revealed that The Inn at Grinshill could be turned into a residential building, because of ongoing struggles to keep the business going.

The inn, a Grade II listed Georgian property within the conservation area and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would be used as a home by the current owners.

Currently, it is only open for private parties and bed and breakfast.

Documents put forward to Shropshire Council state that the business has become “unviable and unsaleable”.

But the plans have sparked outrage from local residents, and the council has received nearly 50 letters of objection to the scheme.

Mr Rouse said: "In the early years The Inn at Grisnhill was a runaway success.

"All three of my children had their 18th birthdays there and Christmas and new year events would be excellent and sell-out quickly.

"I like the applicant and his family, and take little pleasure in opposing his application which is, in my view, unjustifiable."