Wheelie good times ahead as pub prepares for grand reopening
It was once a well-used hangout for bikers from across the region, but has remained closed for more than a year.
The Wheel at Worfield, which sits prominently on the Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton Road, near Wolverhampton, known as the 'rabbit run', was also the victim of several failed takeovers.
Now the landmark building is under new ownership and is undergoing fresh refurbishment ready for its grand reopening on Wednesday. The pub is being run by Andy Phelps, who has moved from the Boycott Arms, Upper Ludstone, near Claverley.
Mr Phelps has opened the doors to visitors, selling drinks and speaking to customers, but he will launch the full food menu next week. "The pub was owned by Enterprise Inns, which refurbished it and then leased it out," he said.
"It was then bought privately and I am now leasing it as freehold as the licensee, so it is no longer owned by a chain or a brewery. We are still in the process of opening fully because when Enterprise sold it the place was emptied.
"We have since bought new furniture and now we're just waiting on a few pieces of kitchen equipment. Eventually we'll be bringing most of the staff and the whole operation from the Boycott Arms down here.
"We saw great potential in the building, with it being a roadside location where people travel into Bridgnorth. We have received some really good comments so far."
The pub had been a popular haunt with bikers since the 1950s. It closed unexpectedly in 2005 because of health and safety fears after more than 1,000 motorcyclists attended its Wednesday night meet.
The Wheel was put up for sale in November 2005 and a proposal to create more space in the pub was approved by Bridgnorth District Council in April 2006. Residents feared the pub could become derelict after it remained closed for a year but it reopened under new ownership in December 2007 as a restaurant after a £1 million facelift. It was put up for auction last year but failed to sell.
Mike Woods, Shropshire councillor for Worfield, said: "It has been a landmark for many years and people have a lot of fond memories about the place."
