Closures hit pub offered lifeline in battle to save local
A SKELMERSDALE pub saved from closing at the beginning of March has had to close three weeks later because of the coronavirus.
The Prince William Inn on Beacon Lane was measured up for boarding-up with 15 members of staff set to lose their jobs on Sunday, March 1.
But at the eleventh hour, local residents held a public meeting and about 60 people turned out in order to stop Skelmersdale losing another pub.
At the meeting, it was asked if the pub could stay open until summer, when business was likely to pick up. The pub’s owner, Robinsons brewery in Stockport, agreed and it was to continue trading for another six months.
Speaking at the time, owner and manager of the Prince William, Dave Roy, said: “We are over the moon. Staff are made up to have a reprieve and we’ll carry on to give the same fabulous service.
“We’ve been really busy since the announcement of the closure and so many people have said ‘the pub is so lovely, it can’t close.’ It does really well in the summer months so we’re going to see if we can turn things around.”
After cafes, pubs and restaurants were ordered to close at midnight by the government on Friday, March 20 the pub had no choice but to shut along with others around the UK. The pub has a very strong community presence however and the locals will be waiting for when it returns .
Dave said: “It is very sad as the pub was getting busier from the support but this is far more serious and we all have to isolate ourselves as much as possible. We hope to reopen when this crisis is over.”
Staff know how much regulars love a quiz night and it is still running one in the virtual world on its Facebook page. For more information, visit @theprincewilliaminn.