Hollies pub goes under hammer (From Wiltshire Times)

Hollies pub goes under hammer

2:00pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in News

Popular Westbury Leigh pub The Hollies Inn, the only pub in the village is being offered for auction this week.

The pub was repossessed by the landlord on July 8 and is being administered by Bristol-based receiver GVA.

However, despite local fears the site might be turned into housing if bought by a developer at the auction on Thursday, it is being marketed as a successful freehold pub.

Westbury Leigh resident and Hollies regular Kim Petrie said the closure was a great shame.

“It was always a very popular pub, particularly for the Sunday lunches, a lot of older people would go there as the nearest eating pub otherwise is in Yarnbrook,” he said.

“There has always been a real mixed crowd there, bikers, serving and ex forces, locals. There was never any trouble there.

“It was just a good, friendly country pub. We just hope some developer doesn’t try to shove something in there, it would great if it re-opens soon as a pub, and perhaps Steve could manage it. It must have been making money as it was always packed.”

The pub has a guide price of £180,000 and was due to be auctioned by Strakers at The Corn Exchange, Devizes, on Thursday.

Strakers auction manager Charlie Doel said: “We have already had quite a lot of local interest in the building so hopefully it will sell.

“I can’t see any problem with someone taking it on as a pub and applying for a new licence, and I wouldn’t have thought you would get planning permission for a residential development there.

“It is the only pub there and my understanding is that it was fairly busy.”

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