Last week it was revealed the Sarah Moore pub, in Elm Road, would close its doors in January after its lease with the building’s owner comes to an end. The announcement sparked an outpouring of sadness from customers but landlords, Charley Costello and Will Farrell, have now revealed they are working on plans to keep the pub alive – even if it means moving. Charley, 30, told the Echo the pair are working quickly behind the scenes to take over another pub in the area.
She said: “We definitely will take over another pub, we have a couple of options in the pipeline. We’re just deciding on the right one for us.” The building’s owner intends to convert the site into residential property in the future after rejecting an offer of a five-year lease extension.
Will and Sarah took over the pub in December 2022, but it has been the Sarah Moore for more than three decades. As well as the option of moving, Charley said they are still pushing to stay in Elm Road. “We have also had conversations with the landlord because he does still want to rent the pub out,” said Charley.
“We have looked into possibly renting it out ourselves without being tied to a brewery. It’s on the table and not a definite, but we are looking into it.” The decision to explore extending the lease of the Sarah Moore without a brewery partner is in part due to the community that has grown around the pub during it’s two years of business.
Charley said: “It’s been an absolutely lovely experien.