Pub company purchases Fence hostelry

The Seafood Pub Company has cast its net again to buy the former Forest Inn in Cuckstool Lane in Fence.

It already boasts seven venues across the Pendle and Lancashire area, including the Barley Mow in Barley, the Assheton Arms in Downham and the Oyster and Otter in Feniscowles.

The old Forest Inn building had been empty for a year and was on the market with Skipton chartered surveyors Westlake and Co. It was initially put on the market for £450,000 last summer though the asking price had been dropped to £400,000.

The venue’s charm and character, qualities which made it a popular haunt for locals in the area back in its heyday, were two of the reasons behind the company deciding to make its move for the pub as well as the chance to maximise the hostelry’s potential by bring its own ideas to the table.

Managing Director of the Seafood Pub Company, Joycelyn Neve, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled with the latest addition to the Seafood Pub Company family.

“The venue has a fantastic history and reputation; we’re excited to bring this back to life, and really make the site work as a thriving pub for both locals in the area and guests from further afield.

“Bedrooms will feature on site, and there will be a beautiful beer garden for customers to relax and enjoy delicious food and drink in the summer months.”

The Forest Inn has a varied history; after closing, it traded as Italian restaurant and wine bar Barocco’s and more recently, Indian restaurant Babar Elephant, before being closed and standing empty for the last year.

The Seafood Pub Company is keen to instil its ethos within the pub, and once again make it a successful and lovable place to visit.

Joycelyn added: “We’re hoping that the pub will reopen in August; it’s a great time for both us and the local community, with the new opening set to provide a number of fantastic job opportunities for those in the hospitality industry in the Burnley and Pendle area.”