Hopes fall for pub's future

The Lynton Tavern, in Weeping Cross, will pull its last pint on Saturday night after owners Punch Taverns agreed to sell the pub, car park and associated land to Christian group Exclusive Brethren.

But there may be a lifeline for the popular watering hole after the religious group agreed to continue talking to locals who want to try and save it.

The Express & Star has learned contracts have been exchanged between the group and Punch Taverns and the site will transfer to the Christian group on September 10.

Regulars at the pub had hoped to try and buy the pub but now seem to have been unable to prevent the Brethren from agreeing a deal.

The Save the Lynton Tavern Association attracted more than 800 people to its on-line groups opposing the loss of the pub, on Lynton Avenue.

The two-storey building, which was built in 1957, is seen as a vital community asset by locals.

Its 130-space car park is used widely by locals visiting nearby shops, doctors surgery and St Anne's RC Church. The pub was available for lease for an annual rent of £50,000 since May but Punch Taverns were unable to secure a buyer.

A spokesman for the company said: "Contracts have been exchanged with the purchaser and the pub is due to close after trading on Saturday night.

"The site is due to transfer to the new owners on 10 September."

Mike Tyson, chairman of the Save the Lynton Tavern Association said he was still hopeful a deal could be done.

He said: "Discussions are continuing with the Brethren with regards to splitting the site as they have told us they don't want it all, they only want around a third of the site.

"We are working with them and are looking to try and save the pub and the car park. Our discussions are on-going to see what the next step is."

There are up to 16,000 Exclusive Brethren in Britain, with congregations throughout the country.

Members follow a rigid code of conduct based very strictly on Bible teaching.