Pub may close due to roadworks

Up to 30 people could lose their jobs if a Shropshire pub is forced to close due to major roadworks planned over the summer, fears the pub's owner.

The Plume of Feathers, near Much Wenlock, reopened last week after a £300,000 refurbishment - but pub owner Mike Smylie today said they might have to shut for the summer when Harley Bank is closed for works.

Harley Bank on the A458 near Much Wenlock will be shut for up to six weeks from mid-July while work is carried out to make the bank safe following growing concerns about rocks falling on to the road.

Mr Smylie said if he had known earlier the roadworks were in the pipeline he would not have reopened the pub until after the summer.

He said: "Obviously this situation has been planned in advance for some time but the first I heard of it was when I read it on the front of the Shropshire Star.

"If I'd have known it was going to close for six weeks over the summer, I wouldn't have done the refurbishment until after then.

"There's several options for us now - we'll either have to close the pub completely and lay off everyone - meaning 30 people will be unemployed because of it, seek legal advice on our options, or stay open and hope for the best.

"We will lose all of our passing trade. They say they are going to do the work during the school holidays, but I still don't understand this when the road is a major route to Wales.

"I also have rooms here and people come to the area for tourist trade. It's going to affect the business majorly.

"If we're not taking the money we're going to have to lay people off. We have bills to pay and one of the biggest bills in this trade is labour," he added.