Oswestry pub for sale – but not closing down, manager insists
A town centre pub is on the market, it has been revealed.
The Oswestrian, in English Walls, Oswestry, also the home of the Oswestry Conservative Club, has been put up for sale, following discussions from the committee who say they felt that member numbers were dropping to "alarmingly low levels".
Syd Hallam, who has managed the pub since February 2005, also said many members considered themselves at an age where they felt they were no longer able to run it.
But Mr Hallam is keen to stress there are no plans to close the pub.
He said: "My hope is that we can sell the pub in the next few months and it will continue as is. It's a fantastic pub that serves some fantastic food, and I believe it has a future.
"People have been coming in telling me they've heard the pub is closing down but that is certainly not the case. I intend on staying here until we find a new proprietor, whether that's six months or a year down the line.
"The pub will very much still be here, it just won't be the Conservative Club anymore.
"On my next birthday I will be 75, so I think it's time I started to take things a bit easier, and we have members into their 80s and 90s. Times change, there was a time when there were all sorts of different clubs in the area, there was the Labour Club, the Lib Dem Club, a Boxing Club, the Orthopaedic Club but things change.
"I've been in the pub trade since 1972, and things have changed massively, people don't go out as much as they used to, instead people will have a drink at home because you can buy three nights worth of drink from the supermarket for about £10. Pubs and clubs can't compete with that."
The price of the pub has not been disclosed but Mr Hallam said he is happy to discuss a price with interested parties, and urges anyone interested to find out more by contacting him on (01691) 654326.
