Shock after sudden closure of Wolverhampton's Newhampton Inn
A pub which has been at the heart of a community for years has suddenly closed its doors.
The Newhampton Inn on Riches Street in Wolverhampton, often visited by football fans before and after matches at Molineux, is now shut.
The reason for the pub’s closure is not yet known but it is believed to have shut its doors some time last week.
The closure has been described as a blow for the city by drinkers and councillors.
WATCH: Sadness over pub closure
Wolves fan Richard Perkins said: “I used to go in there quite a bit. I’m quite surprised it’s closed.
“I used to go in there quite often in the summer with a good lot of friends.
“Most of the time I go out is on a match day. It’s a blow for the city because it’s one less option and it was a very good pub.
“When a good pub closes or goes out of business that sends alarm bells ringing for the rest of them.”
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, who represents the Park ward in Wolverhampton, said: “The Newhampton Inn has been a traditional watering hole and it’s to be hoped that whatever troubles have befallen it can be resolved and the community can enjoy a drink and a meal when it’s wanted.”
Councillor Wendy Thompson, leader of Wolverhampton Conservatives, added: “It’s really surprising. I found it a popular pub and it had a good reputation with the community.
"They had craft beers and a particular number of customers that were loyal to the pub.
"It’s always sad when a pub closes because they are a part of the area and I’m sad to see the news.
“I’m not sure what the full circumstances are. It’s a shame to see the news and we were sorry to see it go.”
No one was at the Victorian street-corner inn when the Express & Star visited and its website no longer exists.
More than 130 pubs have closed down across the Black Country and parts of Staffordshire in the last eight years, recent figures show.
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, there are now 95 fewer drinking establishments in the Black Country than there were in 2010, a drop of 14 per cent.
Over the same period Cannock, Stafford, South Staffordshire and Lichfield have lost 40 pubs.
Across the UK, a total of 5,745 pubs closed over the period, and there are 54 local authorities where 30 or more have shut their doors.
