A pub company says it is hoping to a popular boozer will open again “as soon as possible”.
The Estcourt Arms closed when its landlords left yesterday (November 19), and it is still not clear exactly what its future holds.
The pub is owned by Heineken subsidiary Star Pubs and Bars but is leased to and run by a different company. Today (November 20), Star Pubs and Bars told the Watford Observer that it is still awaiting confirmation of the company’s plans for the Estcourt Arms.
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“We therefore cannot provide any information on the reopening of the pub at this time, though we hope that it will open again as soon possible,” a spokesperson added.
The independent company runs the Estcourt Arms as its own businesses and is responsible for its day-to-day operation and appointing people to manage it. The licensees who left at the weekend were therefore not the direct leaseholders, Star Pubs and Bars explained.
Last week, the licensees confirmed they were leaving due to “situations behind the scenes being out of our hands” and personal reasons that made it “the right time for us to step away from the bar”.
They have since told the Watford Observer that they are hoping someone will be found to take over the “lovely little place”, particularly after the “overwhelming” turn out and response as they departed.
Updates to follow.
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