Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement


Beloved pub for sale for just 1p

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 21 July 2008
By Amy Burns
DESPERATE Sheffield landlady Lynne Peckett has put her beloved pub up for sale for just one penny.
Exhausted by 50 hour weeks, crippled by soaring running costs and disheartened by decreased custom since the smoking ban was introduced, Lynne has decided to cut her losses and get out of the business before it ruins her financially.

But after two years with no offers on the £30,000 lease for the Rose House in Walkley, she and husband John have offered it up for 1p, plus the costs of stock and fixtures and fittings.

It's a sad end to the couple's 19 year history at the South Street pub.

Lynne, aged 53, said: "We have a prime location on a main road and we have some lovely regulars. But we're not making enough money - it's not a sustainable business for us. We have had the lease up for sale for two years and no-one is interested."

John, 55, came up with the idea to sell the lease for a penny during an interview with a trade magazine about the struggle they were having selling up.

Lynne, who has worked in the pub trade for 23 years, said: "We will be very sad to leave but the financial situation is delicate.

"We used to be employed by the brewery to run the pub but when they went bust John used his redundancy money to buy the lease." Lynne bought the lease from John two years ago for £8,000. She said: "Now we just need to get out. We'll make a loss but we don't really have a choice. We need to get out."

There are 10 other pubs within walking distance of the Rose House and two supermarkets also selling alcohol.

Lynne is now hopeful they have a serious buyer interested in the business and if they are successful in selling up, she wants to take a well-earned break.

She said: "I'd like to take a holiday - if we can find the money. And just take some time to think about what to do next."

What do you think? Add your comment below.

READ MORE
Back to main news index.
Latest video reports
Traffic and travel information.
Check out the jams on Sheffield's traffic cameras.
Today's features.
Books of condolence.
Pictures.
More Barnsley news.
More Rotherham news.
More Doncaster news.

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 21 July 2008 8:42 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
Prev
1
Next
1

waywoodwind 1,

lowedges 21/07/2008 12:48:37
A British tradition of pubs clubs Inns hotels that have been prosperous for hundreds of years serving the British travellers and local people are now thrown on the scrap heap by a traitorous government and council.
2

MuddyCoffee,

woodseats 21/07/2008 13:12:48
While this couple have my sympathy, there is no doubt that these days we need less pubs in some areas.
It is also obvious that scruffier pubs which traditionally pandered to the minority of clientele who continued to smoke are doing badly, whereas all the nicer pubs seem to be thriving now. That's what you get for putting all your eggs in one basket.
3

freedom,

sheffield 21/07/2008 13:25:19
why not turn it into a smoking venue for crying out loud, it is a shame to waste a building which could be used if ti were not for a pointless law, it could have a little yellow warning sign, and employ only smokers.
Ventlation could be put in place.
If the above was allowed, the place would become a thriving social venue, that would be an asset to the community
4

Jason Bourne,

21/07/2008 14:38:53
Can you use the words 'smoking venue' and 'asset to the community' in the same sentence?
5

Alfster,

Down t'pub... 21/07/2008 17:06:40
This is a real shame but everywhere you go there are pubs boarded up...the Earl of Arundel & Surrey on Queens Rd (a prime location) being a typical example. Places like Tesco with irresponsible low booze pricing must carry a lot of blame...along with the "fear of crime" which our city is burdened with...
6

MuddyCoffee,

woodseats 21/07/2008 20:53:54
Alfster has the real story I feel. The price differential between pub prices and store prices is ridiculous. But also you have to appreciate that back in the days when most pubs were originally built there was a pub on every corner and people's houses didn't have many luxuries.

Nowadays, the pubs are often bunched together in places where there used to be lots of back to backs and small terraces crowded around them. Look at the Earl of Arundel. No customers because there are few houses around it.
7

K Darragh,

leyland 22/07/2008 00:31:48
Tell it to the non smokers guys...where are they?Clean air awaits you,do gooders,you should be filling the pubs and clubs!Middle class wine supping stay at home,dictators.you have ruined the pub industry!People are going under and you dont support your non smoking cause...shame on you!
8

Employee of the month,

22/07/2008 11:50:54
Enterprise Inns are a blight on the Sheffield pub landscape, although they do allow landlords to buy through the society of independent brewers. Punch are the worse, tying their leasees up in their own supply chain, crippling them with high beer prices and increasing rental. It must be the only industry where the owner seem hell-bent on runining their employees. All pubs should be freehouses - Maggies plan of splitting up the pub co's didn't work, infact it made it worse!
9

,

22/07/2008 11:51:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason: Repeat post
Prev
1
Next

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.