The Blue Boar in Ludlow, which has been run by leaseholder Adam Tutt and manager Emily Hardman for the past decade, will temporarily close next month for refurbishment and reopen under Punch’s management partnerships arm, following the end of the current lease.
While the pubco has pledged to invest in and reopen the site, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, Andy Boddington, recently shared his dismay with The Morning Advertiser (The MA).
He said: “I could cry over the closure of the Blue Boar. This is a pub that is great for locals and visitors alike. Good beer. Good food. Good company. It is a great community asset and busy throughout the year.”
Boddington added despite the venue’s chequered past, including closure following police intervention in 2014, Tutt and Hardman have improved its reputation vastly: “They built a good team and changed the pub from a place to avoid to a go-to destination. The Blue Boar has a unique style that will never be replaced.”
The councillor continued: “Recently, Punch decided to end the lease and put new managers in. It seems to think it can do better than the current management.
Exciting changes
“The new managers will be made welcome in Ludlow. Ludlow is that sort of town. But the Blue Boar will never be the same again.”
However, Punch stated the closure would not be permanent and the Blue Boar would soon be welcoming customers back through the doors following the investment.
Punch operations director Jannine Leadbetter told The MA: “We can confirm the current lease agreement at the Blue Boar pub in Ludlow is coming to an end, and the pub will be closing temporarily for investment this August.
“We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Emily and Adam, who have been outstanding operators over the past decade. Their dedication and hard work have been truly appreciated and we wish them all the very best for the future.
“We understand how much this fantastic pub means to the local community, which is why we’re investing £275k in its future – not closing it.
“As part of these exciting changes, the Blue Boar will transition into our management partnerships estate and we’ll be working closely with the team to find the right management partners to lead the pub into its next chapter.
Crazy decision
“Our top priority is to ensure this much-loved pub remains at the heart of the Ludlow community and continues to thrive for many years to come. The Blue Boar will be back very soon and we look forward to sharing more updates with the community in the coming weeks.”
Though Boddington criticised Punch’s decision to shut the pub at a critical time of year for Ludlow, which has been hit by job losses recently following the closure of another pub, previously owned by the Oakman Group prior to it entering administration, and a café.
He continued: “This incomprehensible decision means one of the most popular venues in Ludlow will close at peak season. That is a crazy decision and will create a lack of [visitors to] Ludlow during its peak season.
“We don’t know how long the Blue Boar will be closed for. I hope it will reopen very quickly and any work to refurbish the interior is delayed until after September.
“Pubcos should recognise how important pubs are to small market towns. They increase footfall and help build the reputation of a town as an enjoyable place to visit. Closed pubs make high streets look tired and unattractive. Ludlow needs these pubs.”
