New lease of life for ‘community boozer’
NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM REOPENS PUB
AN Ashfield pub described as a “proper community boozer” has announced it is reopening under new management following controversy during the first lockdown.
The Staff of Life pub, in West End, Sutton-in-ashfield, closed its doors in March 2020 when the country first entered the national restrictions.
But two months later the pub was embroiled in controversy, with the site’s previous licensees leaving the business and staff claiming they had been left without two months’ pay.
At the time, Ashfield District Council confirmed the pub received a £25,000 Business Support Grant to help with lost revenue and ongoing costs to the business.
Nine employees voiced their frustrations over the situation at the time, before the pub’s parent company confirmed that the licensees had indeed left the business.
Star Pubs and Bars, which owns the site, said it had been “unable to make contact” with the licensees.
The company then confirmed in August that it was “keen to reopen” the pub once a new licensee was found.
And now the pub has posted on social media to confirm that it is reopening this week “under new management”.
A post on the pub’s Facebook page said: “It’s been a long time since The Staff of Life was last open but after a very hard week ... the Staff of Life’s doors reopen under new management.
“So please come and join [us] and the team here. We will be showing all the games from the Euro 2020.
“Come and join us for a great pint and all home cooked food.”
News of the pub’s temporary closure last summer was met with sadness among the community, with some describing it as having “such a friendly atmosphere”.
Councillor David Hennigan independently represents Sutton Central and New Cross, the ward on Ashfield District Council where the pub is based. Speaking on news of its return to trade, he wished the new licensees luck as the “phoenix rises from the flames”.
He said: “This is excellent news for pub goers in Sutton.
“This has been closed throughout lockdown and residents have missed its contribution to our community.
“This is a proper, decent community boozer and some locals were worried that like hundreds of pubs across the country it simply wouldn’t open its doors again after the pandemic.
“The hospitality industry has taken a real hit over the last year.
“The fact that the Staff of Life is reopening is great for Sutton town centre.
“The council has exciting plans to kickstart our nighttime economy in Sutton after our successful Town’s Fund bid.
“This is only possible by supporting our existing pubs like the Staff of Life.
“I wish Diane and Neil every success as this phoenix rises from the flames.”
Commenting on the financial situation last year, Star Pubs and Bars distanced itself from the actions of the previous licensee.
The company said: “Licensees are independent business people who employ their own staff.
“Neither the previous licensee nor their staff were employees of Star Pubs & Bars.”
The Post contacted the pub for a comment but had not received a response at the time of going to press.