Three Newport pubs are on the market this week as the government is warned it will lose more than £250m in tax revenues this year, if pubs continue to close at the current rate.
Newport’s Royal Victoria Hotel, Church Aston’s Last Inn and the Lion in Edgmond are all on the market as the stark warning was made to the country’s big-wigs by The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
The number of pub closures across the nation abated slightly in the second half of 2009, as the recession eased.
And Newport appeared to be bucking the trend with three of the town’s top boozers undergoing major refurbishment.
But in 2010, the town is succumbing to a national pandemic with pubs still shutting their doors at an alarming rate.
According to BBPA, 39 pubs are now closing each week, which is down from the rate of 52 a week in the first six months of last year.
Newport’s 24-bedroomed Royal Victoria Hotel, often described as an institution within the town, is on the market for new tenants with Marstons Brewery.
Current tenant Kim Rogers is leaving the premises, which boasts a 60 seater restaurant and function room, to concentrate on her other Newport venture Adams House.
A spokesman from Marstons said they were already in discussion with a party who were very interested.
He said: “We have sent an offer letter out but nothing contractual has been signed.
“We are in talks with a very interested couple from the south and we believe they have promising plans but we cannot disclose any more information until a deal has been agreed.
“We will know more in the next two to three weeks.”
The Lion in Edgmond, which became popular for its open mic nights, is currently undergoing work to keep it in a fit state of repair.
And the Last Inn, which was on the market for £300,000, remains under offer.
She said: “The Lion is available for lease and we are currently talking to interested to parties.
“It is closed currently due to completion of repair works following water damage. The Last Inn is available for sale through our agents Sidney Phillips in Hereford.”
