200-year-old south Shropshire pub saved by the community welcomes its new publicans

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The 200-year-old Crown Inn in Newcastle-on-Clun closed in 2023, but was brought back to life last year when the local community and parish council secured a £270,000 government grant to purchase and renovate the pub.

Now Newcastle Parish Council has confirmed it has entered into a lease agreement for The Crown Inn and appointed new landlords Sue Hayward and John Martin.

The pair will be moving into the premises as tenants, initially, until June 15, and will be working alongside the current team to allow for a seamless transfer of the business.

A spokesperson for the parish council said: “We wish them every success as they take on the challenge of growing the business, building on the achievements of the interim tenancy, to provide the community and visitors with a pub that we can continue to be proud of.”

Sue and John said in a joint statement they were “honoured” to be given the opportunity to run the community-owned local.

“Between us, we have a wealth of experience in the brewing and bar industry, plus a history of corporate management,” the pair said. “We think we are well placed to continue the fabulous work of the Parish Council and The Crown Inn at Newcastle Limited, and to expand the opening hours, services and events to offer you a real village social hub for all ages.

“We raised our children in a small close-knit rural community in Mid-Wales and appreciate the benefits and contributions required for a community to thrive. We will not only be working at The Crown Inn but it will also become our home. We are very excited and looking forward to meeting, serving and socialising with you all in the near future.

“Hopefully we won’t be ‘outsiders’ for too long! See you soon.”