Another Stafford pub goes up for sale

Another Stafford town centre pub has been put up for sale by its owners.

The Star & Garter, on Wolverhampton Road, is on the market for offers in the region of £215,000.

Bosses say it will remain open until a buyer is found - but any decision over its long-term future will be down to the new owner.

Owner Enterprise Inns, which has 19 pubs in the Stafford area, took the decision following a "review" of the site.

The move has sparked fresh fears over the erratic fortunes of Stafford's night-time economy, boosted by a number of new bars this year - but hit by the loss of a number of long-established watering holes.

The Star and Garter has been without a permanent tenant since last December. Enterprise brought in a temporary manager while they searched for a new landlord, but their efforts have proved unsuccessful.

Spokeswoman Pamela Watkins said: "We can confirm that following an ongoing review of our properties, we have decided that the Star and Garter no longer fits within our estate profile and is therefore being offered for sale.

"It is our intention that the pub should continue to trade until a sale has been agreed."

Mike Harker, secretary of the Heart of Staffordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said the branch was concerned about the number of pubs going out of business in the town and the difficulties faced by tenants.

"I know the Star and Garter has been really struggling for a while," he added.

"They tried serving real ale, but that has now been abandoned and they're trying to survive by selling lager, which is difficult when you can buy it much cheaper in the supermarkets. We need to start convincing people that we can't let the traditional pub die."

The once-popular Telegraph Inn, also on Wolverhampton Road, closed in March after decades in business and is currently being redeveloped into offices. But Enterprise is planning to give their Nesbitt Arms pub, on Churchill Way, a £20,000 refit after recruiting new tenants.