THE RISING Sun pub in Redditch will close on Sunday, April 16.
The venue was one of 32 pubs JD Wetherspoon put up for sale in September, citing a ‘commercial decision’ was behind the move.
The chain also has The Royal Enfield Lloyds bar in the town which is thought to have influenced its decision.
The company said The Rising Sun would continue operating until it had been sold but this week The Rising Sun was still listed on the Savills website.
The lease, with a current rent of £97,750 per year and a £8,843 service charge, runs until March 24 next year.
Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA branch chair Paul Richards said everyone was disappointed by the decision.
“It’s a large venue which can accommodate many people in a friendly pub atmosphere.
“It’s a sad loss to visitors of the town and to Redditch residents.”
He added members frequently enjoyed its large range of real ales and bi-annual beer festivals and it had made eight appearances in CAMRA’s annual Good Beer Guide.
The majority of people commenting on Facebook agreed with CAMRA’s sentiments with many saying it was a much-loved pub and they preferred it to the Enfield.
Oliver Turney said: “It always seems busy, nowhere else in Redditch I’d bother going. It’s a big loss for the town.”
Samantha Green added: “Such sad news for the community and the loyal staff that have worked there for several years.”
Cezar Bogdan said: “It’s bad such a great pub in an excellent location has to close – I hope a solution will be found soon and a new nice pub/restaurant will replace it.”
Some claimed Redditch needed more pubs and nightlife while others said there were plenty of other places to go.
JD Wetherspoon spokesperson Eddie Gershon told the standard: “There are no redundancies and we are currently consulting with the team and will relocate all the team.
“We very much hope all the team will stay with us.
“We have a second larger site in Redditch and the majority of the team will transfer to this site.
“Some may relocate to other local sites.”
- WHAT do you think of the Rising Sun closure? Will you miss the pub or would you prefer to see a different venue take up residence there? If so what? Email your views to [email protected]
