Shropshire Star

Homes plan for 'struggling' Oswestry pub

A struggling historic pub in Oswestry may be turned into housing after plans were received by Shropshire Council.

Published
The Golden Lion in Oswestry

Lee Ryan, landlord of the Golden Lion, which has been based on Upper Church Street since at least the early 19th century, wants to convert the building and its associated residential apartment into two flats.

He also wants to build three homes within the grounds.

Planning agent Rob Bennett said Mr Ryan has run the pub since March 2014 but neither he, nor the 10 landlords before him, were able to “make a go” of the business.

He continued: “The pub has never been popular and despite working very long hours and being imaginative and flexible in his approach to the business the applicant has been unable to make a working profit and he has had to subsidise it by taking on other, unrelated, work.

“The business accounts are readily available for examination ad the application includes correspondence from the applicant’s accountant which confirms that the pub business has no future.”

Social habits

At the time Mr Ryan took over the Golden Lion it had been identified as an “asset of community value”.

But, according to Mr Bennett, its recent impending closure has not generated any interest from potential buyers.

Mr Bennett continued: “Social habits have changed in recent years and there is a clear move away from drinking in pubs to drinking at home as alcohol has become so much cheaper when bought from a supermarket.

“This change has been acknowledged by the council in a number of planning reports.

“In addition to the natural drop in clientele the business faces severe competition from the extremely large number of other drinking and eating establishments in the town.”

Mr Bennett explained efforts have been made to develop the business, including the provision of food, accommodation, live music and use of the function room, but added: “Many nights the pub is empty.”

A decision is expected from Shropshire Council by the end of the year.

By Emily Lloyd, local democracy reporter