Controversial empty pub in Shropshire to become an Indian restaurant

The Top House Lodge in Weston Rhyn has been closed for months, while owners tried to find a new landlord.

It is now set to reopen as The Lodge Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant at the end of January.

Earlier this week, Weston Rhyn Parish Council voted to press ahead with an application to have the building designated as a community asset, in a bid to prevent the village from losing anymore amenities.

Christine Rogers, on behalf of the owners, said: "We would like to thank the parish council for their concern about the pub lying dormant and becoming dilapidated but it is not up for sale and is being opened as an Indian restaurant at the end of January."

She added that the owners had attempted to find new landlords for it to remain as a pub but no one had come forward.

She said: "It was purchased by the owners in August last year and advertised as a pub but despite some interest no-one came forward and the management of the Indian restaurant inquired about the availability.

"It will still be providing a service to the community and hopefully will be very successful. I think they are also planning on holding live music nights as well."

Weston Rhyn's council chairman Ralph Cooper told Monday's meeting that he did not want to see the village losing more amenities.

He said: "We are losing everything in the village. We have lost the butcher's, the baker's,and the Cross Keys pub."

He added: "The pub is the centre of the village and the village is increasing in size. There are 50 to 70 houses being built, the village is increasing yet all the amenities are going."

Legislation allows a number of buildings to be designated as assets of community value, and can include pubs, football clubs, libraries, village shops, sports centres and parks.

If a building is listed, it pauses a potential sale and gives the community time to develop a bid to buy it.

In the original nomination Roger Dyke, clerk of the council, said the Top House Lodge was the only community pub in the centre of the village.