A historic Whitchurch pub, which has been boarded up after two attempted break-ins, has been described as an ‘eyesore’ that makes the town look ‘ugly’.
The future of the Railway Hotel, Talbot Street, is in the balance after metal shutters were put up on the building last Thursday (October 30) – three months after it closed down.
It is owned by Punch Taverns who say they are in discussions with potential licensees and hope the pub will re-open soon.
The pub has featured in a number of old photographs of the town and was used to host events, such as charity balls, auctions, and meetings of Shropshire Sea Angling Club and the Whitchurch branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
Peggy Mullock, Whitchurch town councillor, said: “The pub being closed is very disappointing, but even more so now that it has been boarded up. It looks like an eyesore and makes the town look ugly.
“I know the country is going through a bit of a financial crisis, but the pub was very busy and used by a lot of people, both socially and for business.
“The assumption was that a new licensee would be found, but now nobody knows what’s going on.”
A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: “We are endeavouring to re-open the Railway Hotel as soon as possible.
“The pub is boarded for security reasons following two attempted break-ins. We are talking to interested parties and anticipate that the pub will be open again very soon.”
West Mercia Police could not confirm the attempted break-ins as the Chronicle went to press.
