Left out in the cold

Residents in Cutnall Green are campaigning for The New Inn to once again open its doors after their regular Christmas and New Year meeting place was closed more than six months ago. Locals were under the impression that the pub, based on the Kidderminster Road, would open following development work on the venue's car park.

However, many now fear that The New Inn will stay closed for good due to the amount of time that has passed since they found the windows and doors boarded up way back in June.

Fears have led to hundreds of residents signing a petition and turning out in force to call for the pub to open again.

Many residents have been unable to meet as normal this year in what is considered by most as Cutnall Green's only "real drinking pub".

Even though the village boasts two other pubs, most people feel that they are more geared towards food. The closure of the New Inn has also left many people without their favoured place to celebrate the New Year.

Concerned resident Barry Bond said: "The New Inn is normally heaving on Christmas Day and Boxing Day every year. It was a place where the close community would meet. It was standing room only and on more than one occasion the doors have had to be closed at 10pm as there was just no more room.

"All of the regulars and other residents and visitors have missed the pub over Christmas and it will be even more sorely missed during New Year. It is the only real drinking pub in the village.

"We don't know what is happening with it, but get the impression it will not open again.

"We are calling on the owners to open it up and sort it out. It is what the village wants - especially at this time of year."

Pub owner London Town Plc was unavailable for comment.