Country pub to reopen under new management

A new tenant has been found to run a Shropshire country pub that was forced to close at the end of last month.

The previous landlord of The Haughmond, at Upton Magna, announced he was shutting its doors because "economic pressures" affecting the hospitality industry, which "made it impossible for us to continue trading".

But Halls Commercial, working on behalf of the property owner, has confirmed it would reopen on Saturday.

When the news of the closure broke Gareth Thomas, chair of Upton Magna Parish Council, said it had been "a bit of a shock".

But now new landlady Cathy Haddock, hopes to take the pub back to its roots.

"[We want it to] become a popular, community-driven pub for local people, families, weddings and groups, including cyclists, walkers, anglers and shooting parties," she said.

A local singer and bouncy castle have been booked for the reopening and Haddock said they would offer a "traditional country pub menu at affordable prices", including a Sunday roast menu, weekly pie night, curry night, steak night and breakfasts.

She also promised the cafe and shop at the pub would return in the next few weeks and said they had been "a massive part of the community in the past".

James Evans, from Halls, said the rapid reopening proved that "while operators continue to face economic pressures, there remains significant appetite from experienced businesses seeking the right opportunities".

Reacting when the pub closed, Thomas said the village was "a community that really wants the pub back open".

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