Watch: Shropshire hotel owner explains why it's the end of an era for his family business
A hotel landlord has 'mixed feelings' about handing over the keys of the Telford business which has been in his family for 60 years.
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James Swindley has been a part of the White House Hotel, in Muxton, since his parents Jim and Moira Swindley took over at the Wellington Road business in 1963 when he was just three years old.
"I have very mixed feelings as it is all I have known," said James, 63. "I have been working here since I was 17, every Christmas Day, and at weekends.
"In that time I have had no more than two weeks away. It is time to have time for myself.
"I am looking forward to retiring, we have the caravan on the drive ready and waiting and we plan to travel around the UK before going across the Channel next year."
Jim and his second wife Trish, 57, have kept the freehold of the hotel, which has a bar and restaurant, but sold the lease to a bigger operator, The Grill Pub Co, who have told them of their plans to carry out a big refurbishment that will close the place for 10 weeks.
"They will be refurbishing the whole place and spending a lot of money on it, which is needed," he said.
