AFTER JD Wetherspoon announced it had put The Rising Sun pub up for sale, Standard reporter Ryan Smith, asked people in the town centre what they think of Redditch’s nightlife.
Julie Read said the decision was ‘a shame’ for Redditch adding a potential sale would ‘have a knock-on effect for the town’.
Andrew Cattell said The Rising Sun was a pub elderly people could go for an affordable day out and if it became more expensive under a new owner they might be left ‘stuck for places to go’.
He added: “This place needs to be another pub and eatery as other clubs and pubs in the area have closed down.
“I know quite a few people that already travel up to Bromsgrove for a drink instead of here and before long others will follow”.
Ian Stevens, who lives around the corner from the Rising Sun, said the town needed different pubs and bars to suit different people’s tastes.
“I like relaxed environments and a friendly atmosphere when I go out and the fewer places people can go the less likely it will be that I can find one.
“Redditch is in striking distance of Birmingham so if what people want isn’t here people will go and find it.”
Lesley Smith and Carolyn Withorn drink and eat at both the Rising Sun and the Royal Enfield, the Lloyds Bar which is also owned by JD Wetherspoon.
They said they were concerned if only one remained, people may struggle to get a table for a meal.
Lesley said: “The Rising Sun is always busy around lunchtime – those drinkers have to go somewhere so it is likely other places will be packed.”
Another Redditch resident added he was curious about what would happen after a proposed sale, but he questioned whether people would be able to afford pubs in general due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
• What do you think of the night life in Redditch town centre?
What type of venues would you like to see here?
Email your views to [email protected] or write to us at the address on the letters page – page eight.
