Whitbread slammed over decision not to re-open the Foxlydiate - The Redditch Standard

Whitbread slammed over decision not to re-open the Foxlydiate

Redditch Editorial 8th Jul, 2020   0

THE Foxlydiate Arms will not be re-opening after closing back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff were told the news last Wednesday.

It comes after an 18 month campaign to save the much-loved watering hole which was built in the 1930s and features a classic period facade.

However local County Councillor Robin Lunn (Lab, Redditch North) said the fight would go on to save the pub which could be turned into a community asset for all to enjoy.




Speaking this week he said: “It’ is deeply unfortunate and sad that the owners, Whitbread, would seem to be taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to close the Foxlydiate when the area desperately needs such a venue.

“There has been lots of planning permission granted for new homes around the site and if we are going to have umpteen new developments nearby surely the people who live there will want somewhere to relax.


“They say it is loss making well if that is the case why don’t they re-open it now and make some money?

“No planning applications have come forward to Bromsgrove District Council to turn the site into housing and in fact the rationale for it has gone because Bromsgrove has no need for more housing there.

“It is all utterly illogical except for Whitbread’s profits.

“But the fight goes on!”

The Foxlydiate sits right next to the site of a planned massive development of nearly 3,000 new homes to be built on land at Webheath and stretching along the Bromsgrove Highway.

A spokesperson for Whitbread said: “The Foxlydiate Arms is a loss-making hotel and restaurant and requires considerable investment to bring it up to the brand standards our customers expect.

“The land around the hotel and restaurant has also been allocated for residential development by Bromsgrove District Council.

“Our ambition was to sell the hotel and restaurant as a going concern and we actively marketed the site to established pub operators last year.

“Unfortunately we did not receive any sensible offers from public house, restaurant or hotel operators.

“The only commercial enquiries we received were from home builders looking to redevelop the site for new homes.

“After carefully considering our options we are currently in discussions with the team in relation to the potential future of the site.”

Podcasts

Now, every week, you can also listen to a roundup of Redditch Standard Local News.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Redditch Standard.