Wem’s local economy has received a double boost after two popular watering holes were handed a new lease of life in the form of new owners.
The Albion, on Aston Street, re-opened its doors yesterday, Wednesday, after being shut for about a month after the licensee chose to leave the business and the Old Post Office, in High Street, is due to re-open in a fortnight after three friends clubbed together to buy the pub which carries a plaque dated 1908.The news has been welcomed by Wem Mayor Mandy Meakin who said it would be great for the town to have both pubs open in time for Wem Carnival on September 4.
The Albion was believed to have been the only pub in the town centre to serve food and last re-opened its doors in April following a year’s closure.
Leila Maia, spokesperson for Punch Taverns, said: “We are pleased to confirm that the Albion Inn will re-open on Wednesday with a temporary operator. We are actively recruiting a new licensee to work in partnership with us and we are currently talking to interested parties. If any readers are interested in finding out more about this opportunity they can speak to our recruitment team on 0844 848 3279.”
Meanwhile, Jackie Page, the former landlady of the White Lion Pub, in High Street, has been joined by new business partners Noeline Rutter and Guy Lewis who are currently gutting the interior of the Old Post Office to modernise it and make way for a new bar and new flooring.
Noeline told the Chronicle the free house will create three part-time jobs and looks set to be open between 11am and 12pm seven days a week, although opening times may vary.
She said: “It’s quite a costly project and we’re hoping to get it up and running in a fortnight’s time. The atmosphere we want to create is warm and friendly and very welcoming and we want to try and keep it as a traditional pub. We will definitely be open for carnival day. We’re all very excited about the project.”
And it’s good news on the shop business front as commercial property consultants Pooks revealed demand for business opportunities in the town had picked up pace since January, with two empty shops on the High Street let within the past six weeks.
by Charlotte Hester