Historic community pub reopens under new landlords

Darren Dixon is one of the new landlords of The Three Tuns

A historic Shropshire pub has reopened under new ownership, five months after it shut and was branded by locals as an "embarrassment".

The Three Tuns Inn in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire, closed on 11 July due to "unforeseen circumstances", former owner Heineken Star Pubs said at the time.

Now its doors are open again under the management of The Shed, a Shropshire-based events and hospitality business.

"It's an industry that's struggling when you look at all of the costs," said Darren Dixon, one of the new landlords. "[But] it's a great pub that should never really have closed."

The site sits next to the Three Tuns Brewery, established in 1642 and believed to be the oldest licensed brewing site in Britain.

While there has been no direct link between the pair for 20 years, each site helps the other to function.

As well as a brewing legacy, the inn boasts a long list of famous patrons, including Rod Stewart and Robert Plant, and bears a blue plaque remembering customer Jerry Lordan - a songwriter for stars including Cliff Richard.

The Three Tuns Inn is next door to the brewery but they have different owners

"The pub is quite remote, and it needs a hands-on approach with management and running," said Mr Dixon.

He said there was investment planned with the brewery, which would help "reshape the image" of the pub, after its appearance was criticised by locals after falling into a state of disrepair.

He added refurbishment was also planned for 2026.

"The feedback we've had has been brilliant… the word of mouth is that it's turned a corner, which is great," he said.

"Other than giving the pub a bit of a clean and bringing in the local beers, we haven't had to do an awful lot in terms of getting customers to come through the door.

"I think they've missed the pub, and it was a key part of the community in the past."

Councillor Josh Dickin said people were giving the venue another chance

The town's mayor, councillor Josh Dicken, said the closure was "a desperate situation that needed to be rectified", and customers were giving it a second chance.

"Across the country, pubs are shut," he said. "We didn't want Bishop's Castle to be part of the national trend."

Its top room, which hosts community groups and clubs, was "packed out again", he added.

"It's a great community asset, it's hosted many a function and a few famous faces over the years, so it's great to have that back open."