Landmark pub up for sale

The owners of The Knave of Hearts, in Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, are in discussions with a number of potential buyers for the site. Punch Taverns insisted the pub was still open for trading despite rumours in the town it was due to close.

Councillor Lesley Beeley, representative for Bloxwich East, said it would be a shame to see another pub shut its doors.

"I don't know why it may be closing but I presume it is because of a lack of trade," he said.

"The Knave has been there as long as I can remember, and I've lived around this area for a long time. It's a shame but I don't think it was too well used in the last few years."

He added: "There is a risk it could become a target for vandals."

In a statement, Jo Sandall, spokeswoman for Punch Taverns, said: "We review our estates regularly to ensure our sites are maximising their potential. We continue to explore options around the future of the Knave of Hearts and are also in discussions with potential purchasers." Another Punch Taverns pub, The Orange Tree, is on the market after three years of road works led to dwindling business.

The pub, in Wolverhampton Road West, is on one of the main routes into Walsall and was hard hit by the creation of the town's multi-million ring road. It has been put on the market with a price tag of £200,000.

Bosses from Punch Taverns said there had already been some interest in the building.

However, it is not all bad news for drinkers in Walsall, after three popular pubs were brought back to life by Brierley Hill-based Black Country Traditional Inns Ltd.

The Duke of Cambridge, in Coltham Road, Short Heath, the Black Country Arms, in High Street, Walsall and the Springhead Tavern, in Walsall Road, Darlaston, are all once again open to drinkers.