White Hart pub in Pennington shuts suddenly

DRINKERS have been shocked by the sudden closure of the White Hart pub in Pennington.

The shutdown comes only a few months after it was listed as an "asset of community value" – meaning local people must be given the chance to put in an offer if it is put up for sale.

Only recently the White Hart, in Milford Road, was boasting on its Facebook page about launching a new menu soon.

But its social media profile now says "closed" and its website bears the message: “New website coming soon.”

Phone calls to the pub go unanswered.

Pennington councillor Jack Davies said news of the closure was “worrying”.

He added: “I worked hard alongside the previous landlords to get the White Hart listed as an asset of community value because we were worried this was coming.

“I really hope new landlords can be found and we will keep this important part of Pennington’s heritage.”

A spokesperson for The White Hart said: “The pub is temporarily closed while we recruit new tenants and will reopen as soon as possible.

"Details about the tenancy of the pub can be found on the Pub Partners website.”

Owned by Stonegate Group Pub Partners, the venue is currently being advertised on several websites for landlords looking for a tenancy.

It is described as a “beautiful pub, which is in excellent condition.”

The bar is described as “welcoming” and the building “traditionally decorated throughout, with exposed beams and wooden flooring accommodating up to 20 covers and additional standing room”.

The “rustic” lounge has 50-60 covers and there is a large, landscaped garden including a children’s play area.

Potential turnover is set at £499,000 with an “introductory rent” per week of £577.

There were claims on social media that pub staff were told at the end of their shift at the weekend that it was closing down.

One commented: "It’s a great shame as it is a lovely pub.”

Another said: "The challenge is we all have stopped going out so much, either eating or drinking, and with cost of living going up it's becoming very hard to make a pub economically viable.”

One feared pubs might become a thing of the past, saying: “One day in the not so distant future the next generation will say, 'Pubs? What were pubs?'"