West Sussex
Village pub to reopen after shock closure
The Bat & Ball, in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, was taken over last year and was renamed the Wisborough.
Comments
There appeared to be some confusion about the pub’s opening status as one comment on their Facebook page on 7 August said: “Are you still in business as we keep ringing to book a table but nobody answers the phone?”
Hall & Woodhouse commercial manager Chris Chapman said: “Our business partner left the Wisborough on Wednesday 3 August 2016. The public house shut on that date and is being looked after by a live-in security firm.
“We are in the process of recruiting new business partners and are currently in discussions with a number of interested parties. We hope to be in a position to make an appointment in the near future and to reopen the public house as soon as possible once an appointment has been made. Part of these discussions include the possibility of changing the name back to the Bat & Ball.
“Hall & Woodhouse completed a major investment at the Wisborough at the beginning of 2015. We are committed to the public house, which represents a good opportunity for a business partner.”
Traditional
Newspaper the West Sussex County Times reported that Hall & Woodhouse had received positive feedback from local people who were pleased the pub was going to revert back to its traditional image and original name.
The pub group - which was founded in 1777 by Dorset farmer Charles Hall - runs a string of pubs across the south of England and also operates a brewery in Blandford St Mary, Dorset.
