A POPULAR Neston pub is up for a new tenancy as the UK's largest pub company, Stonegate, listed more than 400 of their pubs across the UK.

The company which is owned by private equity firm TDR Capital is also behind popular bars, Slug and Lettuce and Be At One and owns many local pubs across the UK. 

Recent reports suggested that Stonegate was looking to sell 1,000 pubs, with Bloomberg claiming the group is looking to scale back operations amid a £2.6 billion debt. 

The sales come as pubs across the UK are facing higher prices of alcohol and food costs as well as keeping up with the rise in energy bills. 

On the list of over 400 pubs is Neston favourite, The Malt Shovel.

In January, pub landlady Lynsey Pugh announced that she would be leaving after five years.

In an emotional Facebook post, Lyndsey explained that "it's not been an easy decision to make" but she feels "the time is right".

READ > 'It's my home': Neston pub says goodbye to popular landlady after five years

She told the Globe: "I'm going to miss it so much.

"Even the job itself I'm going to miss but I've got to do what is right for me now."

The pub, on Liverpool Road, is said to have a potential turnover of £268,000 with its guides rent per week at £231.

On the Stonegate website, the regional manager said: "The Malt Shovel is in a lovely village setting and is ideal for a new publican that wishes to take the site to the next level.

"The local ladies charity day has been hosted by the Malt Shovel for years and the new publican should be ready to become part of the village community and continue to host this community tradition.

"The site is known as the place to watch sport and the place to go when the sun is shining so it requires a publican that can capitalise on this footfall and enhance it with their own flare and ideas."

The key features of the pub include:

  • Ideally positioned community pub with local traditions
  • Sports and games popular with the locals
  • Beer garden with additional covers, a suntrap during the warmer months
  • Three-bedroom private accommodation ideal for a family
  • Great location just off the high-street

To find out more, visit https://www.stonegatepubpartners.co.uk/find-a-pub/search.