The licensee of the last surviving pub in Trawden has said he is “gutted” that the premises has officially been put on the market.
Steven Whalley has run the Trawden Arms, in Church Street, with Scott Pollard since April last year.
At the beginning of June, the pair were meant to be taking up a three-year lease deal with the building’s owners Stars Pubs and Bars.
But following an accumulation of problems, including a £3,000 loss, lack of customers, weather, brewery charges and rent rising by over £7,000, it was decided that the building had to be put up for sale. It has been valued at £150,000, before VAT.
Licensee Mr Whalley (30), who is originally from Bradford, said: “We are gutted. We love it here, and we love the people. We really didn’t want to leave.
“There are a few people who are talking about buying it, but whether it’s talk or not we don’t know.
“Last August, my mum had a heart attack, and she moved across. Coming from a town, it has been nice for us all to be in a village community.”
Mr Whalley, who worked for nine years in hotels, and Mr Pollard, who brings with him ten years experience in pub management, are now looking to take over premises elsewhere.
However, if the opportunity arose, they said they would happily continue to lease The Trawden Arms.
During their time at the rural venue, the pair have re-decorated, organised a variety of events for all ages, including karaoke and music nights, and got involved in a number of community events, such as the Trawden Garden Festival.
Mr Whalley added: “This is quite a big village, and to not have a pub would be terrible.
“There is nowhere else for people to come and meet each other.”
A spokesman from Star Pubs and Bars said: “As part of a continuous review of our pub estate, the decision has been made to sell the Trawden Arms in Colne as it no longer fits with the company’s long term business strategy.”