Dudley micropub closes following seven break-ins in two months

The Bottle & Cork micropub in New Mill Street, Dudley, has closed after being repeatedly targeted by thieves.

Boss Clive Thomason said police seemed unable to control criminal gangs in the town, and accused the council of being in ‘dreamland’ by refusing permission for roller shutters on the building.

The pub has been running on the corner of New Mill Street and King Street.

Mr Thomason said: “Our decision to close has been debated for 18 months, but lately with seven break-ins in the past two months, the police inability to stop criminal groups roaming Dudley, breaking in, robbing, snatching whatever they want, and the council’s policies that seem to come from dreamland, it is obvious that there are better places to operate businesses from,” he said.

“It’s just a pain with so many thieves roaming the streets and stealing the stock. They’re always after the drinks, every time they break in they steal something.

“The council wouldn’t let us put roller shutters up, they say it’s in a conservation area, but without shutters people keep breaking the windows.”

Mr Thomason thanked his regular customers for their support, and said it was possible that a new operator may reopen as a bar in June.

Gemma Meaton, associate director for regulation at Dudley Council, said: "In 2017 there was enforcement action, requiring the removal of shutters previously installed without planning consent. Since this time there have been no planning applications submitted to the council."

West Midlands Police was also contacted for comment.

It is the second pub on the corner of New Mill Street and King Street to close this year. Ye Olde Foundry, which is directly opposite, shut in January after licensee Jake Hall was 'fined' £40,000 from building-owner Stonegate for buying drinks from an independent wholesaler.

Mr Hall said Stonegate’s terms and conditions had made the pub impossible to run.