New owner looks at options for Stormy Petrel pub at Tern Hill
[gallery] A boarded-up Shropshire pub could be given a new lease of life as an Indian restaurant after being bought by local businessman for an undisclosed sum.
Bal Singh said he was prepared to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on The Stormy Petrel pub on the A41 at Tern Hill, near Market Drayton.
However, the businessman, who also runs the nearby Newcott Fish Bar, said he couldn't say exactly how much he will spend until his plans for the building are agreed with planners.
He said: "I can confirm that I have bought it. It's a building I have liked for some time and I think it has a lot of potential so I'm very pleased.
"At the moment we are just deciding what to do with it. I'd like to turn it into an Indian restaurant but no plans have been finalised.
"It could still be reopened as a pub, everything depends on what planning permission I get from the council."
The building was closed back in August 2010 when it was sold for £295,000 to developers who were hoping to convert it into a hotel.
However, it was put back on the market with chartered surveyors Sidney Phillips in September last year priced at £475,000.
Mr Singh would not confirm how much he had paid for the building, but said substantial funds will be required to bring it up to date.
"It's going to be big money that we have to spend," he said.
"We are looking at a couple of hundred thousand at least. It needs a lot of work, especially inside where it isn't very nice.
"The chippy was in the same state when I bought that and I had to spend a lot of money to do it up but we got it done."
Councillor Steve Glover, mayor of Market Drayton, said: "I knew it years ago. It's very visible.
"I thought it may be demolished or used for something else, such as a conference venue.
"As for turning it into a restaurant, it's all well and good. Anything which increases the community spirit is a good thing."
Star comment: Right move to save the village pub
