
Beloved 400-year-old pub SHUTS doors for good as landlady issues emotional statement
Maggie ran the Rose & Crown pub in the historic market town of Warminster in western Wiltshire between Salisbury and Bath.
She revealed to punters in an emotional Facebook post in April that the pub would close down because it could not find new tenants to take it over.
"So sad that my beautiful pub will close I would have love to have handed over to a new tenant but its not to be and its not such a surprise with the industry the way it is at the moment, hopefully it will reopen soon," she wrote.
When it came to her final day at the pub, Maggie said she had loved working there for the past four years and had hoped she would work there until her retirement.
"The last 4 years have been the best of my life, I have loved every second of my time in Wiltshire even the stressful bits the rosa was intended to be my final pub which would lead me up to and into retirement unfortunately life has other ideas what they are I have no clue," she wrote.
Maggie added that she "will forever miss The Rose and Crown, all my lovely customers most of whom became friends and the wonderful county of Wiltshire," and thanked her customers for their support.
In an interview with local media, Maggie said the pub shutting was a "sign of the times" for the industry.
'I've tried really hard to keep the pub going but I've had to pack it in, I'm so in debt from trying to keep it running eventually I've had to say enough as much as I didn't want to. Guess its a sign of the times,' she told The Wiltshire Times.
The Rose & Crown is owned by community pub group, Admiral Taverns and is still available for a long-term tenancy of five years.
Admiral Taverns praised Maggie's running of the pub and said it was looking for someone to continue her legacy.
"The current licensee has built a strong foundation that any future operator will be able to maintain and build upon," the company said on its website.
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"We are looking for a great community pub operator who will embrace all aspects of running a drinks focused pub."
The pub is described by the business as being on the outskirts of the town centre but on a main thoroughfare that has regular bus services stopping just outside.
"Local housing surrounds the pub, making it a prominent feature within the community and a central hub for locals and visitors alike," the description of the lease reads.
It add that "the exposed brick and mixed flooring creates a cosy atmosphere within the pub."
The Rose & Crown also has an enclosed courtyard, small commercial kitchen and pool table.
The pub hosts plenty of live music during the week and has the potential to host sports teams and install major sports networks on the tellies.
There is private accommodation onsite, which is in a separate cottage to the rear which has two bedrooms, separate living room, bathroom and kitchen.
Interested tenants would not have to pay business rates upfront, due to the small business rates relief being applied for by the licensee.
Annual rent is £16,000 and potential tenants would have to fork out £9,000 for the security deposit, working capital and stock.
"A strong marketing plan is a must to invite the wider community into the pub, especially throughout off peak times in the mid-week," Admiral Tenants wrote on its website.
"There is scope to broaden the offering in terms of mid week activity, such as quizzes, community events, sports and catering for functions within the community."
2
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By , consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
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