Pubs close suddenly after parent company folds
Two West Midlands pubs have shut suddenly after their parent company went into administration on Monday.
The George in Ludlow, Shropshire, and the Navigation Inn in Lapworth, Warwickshire, made the announcements on Facebook.
Oakman Inns, based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, operated across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Midlands.
PwC, its administrators, confirmed "six operational sites" had closed with the loss of 159 jobs.
The George and the Navigation Inn posted identical statements to their websites and social media pages.
"Following the appointment of the Joint Administrators on Monday 21st July 2025 this site has ceased to trade and is now closed," it read.
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"Ross Connock, Mark James Tobias Banfield and Tom Crookham have been appointed as joint administrators of Oakman Inns and Restaurants Limited and Oakman Dev Limited to manage their affairs, business and property as their agents and without personal liability."
The statements directed the public to the PwC website.
The administrators said challenging conditions, such as the Covid pandemic which led to closures and "restricted trading", meant the company had to take out "additional borrowings to stabilise the business and preserve its operational footprint".
PwC added it had sold one "freehold property and 13 leasehold sites to Upham Group Limited", which had secured 531 jobs.
This included The Beech House, Solihull, and The Four Alls, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.
Council 'saddened' by closure
Lapworth Parish Council said it was "saddened" about the closure of the Navigation Inn.
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"For centuries it has been a lively part of village life as a popular venue with its large canal side pub garden and restaurant," it said.
"We appreciate that many pubs are struggling with increased costs at the same time as customers have reduced spending power but it is to be hoped that a new owner can be found to revitalise it as soon as possible."
In a post on social media, a member of staff from The George said: "A big thank you to all of Ludlow. To everyone who supported us and made us smile. It's unfortunate that we've had to close, but we're truly grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you."
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