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Licensee of Galgate pub ‘sad and frustrated’ after tenancy not renewed

Thursday, 17 March 2022 11:46

The licensee of a Galgate pub says he’s ‘sad and frustrated’ after learning his tenancy of the venue wouldn’t be renewed after almost twenty years.

Steven Greenhalf has announced he’ll be leaving The Plough Country Pub & Dining Room next month after parent company, Punch Taverns, decided to take back control of the site just before Easter.

In a statement, Mr Greenhalf accused Punch Taverns of exploiting tenants who had built up successful businesses. He said: ‘’It is with an extremely sad and frustrated heart that we must inform all our patrons that our landlord has denied the renewal of our tenancy for The Plough Inn.

‘’After nearly 20 years of rebuilding a fantastic business and keeping The Plough away from permanent closure and (being) an outstanding asset to the community, Punch Taverns are now (using the law) and ‘stealing’ any successful businesses back from hundreds of tenants nationally for their own use and profit.

‘’Despite our best attempts at taking legal action over the past few months this has fallen on deaf ears and resulted in no avail.

‘’Therefore, it is with huge sadness that The Plough will close under my management from Monday 4th April 2022 to allow us to clear the site before handing back the keys on Monday 11th April 2022.

Mr Greenhalf, who also manages four other pubs across Lancashire, paid tribute to his staff and customers who have supported the venue over the years.

‘’I would like to take this opportunity to first thank all our customers for your patronage over the past 20 years, for which I will be eternally grateful’’, he said. ‘’I know a lot of our team, myself included, have some very fond memories from our time with you.

‘’I would like to thank my entire team for their hard work and dedication during our tenancy and would like to make several mentions. Rose our cleaner has been the backbone to the pub and is virtually part and parcel of the fixtures and fittings. I would also like to thank Carol who has over 13 years of service on the bar and has been a massive support. Finally, I would especially like to thank Julie who started at The Plough 20 years ago and has managed the business for over half of that time.

‘’We will remain open for our great pub food, drink and hospitality until that time and we hope that you come and see us and support the team for one last hurrah.’’

In a statement to Beyond Radio, Operations Manager at Punch Pubs, Paul Donaldson, said: “We can confirm that we will be moving The Plough into our Management Partnerships estate when the current agreement comes to its natural end next month.

“We understand the importance of the pub to the local community, and we would like to assure guests that it will be receiving a significant investment over the coming weeks before re-opening as soon as possible.

“We would also like to extend our thanks to the outgoing Publican Steven and his team, whose employment at the pub will continue, for their hard work and dedication over many years at The Plough.”

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