Razorwire row pub to reopen

A pub in Amblecote at the centre of a row over a razorwire security barrier is to reopen with a new tenant in charge.

The Royal Oak, in High Street, will open its doors to customers this month, owners Marston's have announced.

It has been empty for three months after landlord Wayne Etheridge decided to close up following a row with the council over razorwire he put up to deter thieves after a spate of break-ins. Mr Etheridge was to remain responsible for the building until his tenancy agreement ran out in May.

But brewery bosses say that this issue has been resolved to allow someone new to take over.

Officials at the brewery said that it would be up to the new tenant to look into any security issues at the site.

Marston's business manager Clive Thompson said a deadline had been set for the pub to reopen by the end of the month.

"This has been our goal since the pub was closed," he added.

"While no official opening date has been set, the deadline is for the end of October.

"The pub building will be cleaned, and any outstanding maintenance done, but other than that, it will be just a reopening."

Mr Etheridge confirmed that he had handed the keys to the Royal Oak back to the brewery.

"It is a weight off my shoulders, to be honest," he said.

"It would have cost me thousands of pounds for a pub that was not trading.

"The Royal Oak is no longer my responsibility," he added.

The row over the security measures at the pub broke out after Dudley Council received complaints that the razorwire around a flat roof at the back of the building was unsightly.

But Mr Etheridge said that it was vital to prevent the building becoming a target for thieves and vandals.

He closed the pub amid the row and was later forced to take down the wire.

The pub was broken into days later.

The council's decision to order removal of the razorwire was upheld on appeal.

Council bosses later gave Mr Etheridge permission to put up a spiked fence instead but he did not take up the offer.