New owners hoping to reopen Oswestry's oldest pub

In January The Bell Inn on Church Street in Oswestry closed after the landlady left, with Punch Taverns on the look out for a new publican.

The pub has been untouched for almost two months, leaving locals and regulars waiting for news of it reopening.

It has since been taken over by Star Pubs and Bar, which is owned by Heineken.

With locals waiting for news, management at the company have insisted they value the traditional pub highly and are working hard to find a new publican.

A spokeswoman for Star Pubs and Bars said: "We’re actively looking to recruit a new licensee to take on the lease of the Bell Inn.

"It is a fabulous traditional and popular local in the centre of town.

"We are keen to see the pub open and trading again as soon as possible and in the meantime would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."

"Anyone interested in taking on the Bell Inn should contact 08085 949596.”

The pub has had a host of occupants down the years, and was run for many years by former Shrewsbury Town footballer Carleton Leonard, who also runs Gibson's Nightclub.

A major refurbishment of the pub took place and it was reopened in April 2016, with the establishment under new management and serving food.

The refurbishment, costing £160,000, was thanks to a joint investment between Punch and then publican Ian Leuty.

It included a full redecoration, new furniture, toilet upgrades, and the installation of a kitchen, as a pub usually associated with just serving alcohol began to serve food.

However the management moved on and the pub no longer served food over the last year, with a new landlady put in charge.