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Beloved pub for sale for just 1p
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."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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