Three Worthing pubs close in run-up to Christmas
NEARLY 100 people were left searching for somewhere to enjoy their festive turkey after a Goring pub closed less than a week before Christmas Day.
Shock-waves rippled through Goring after the unexpected closure of The Bull's Head – known locally as The Bull – on December 20.
An estimated 98 people lost their Christmas and New Year's 50-a-head bookings – but they look set to get refunds.
Owners of the pub, in Goring Street, The Orchid Group, went into administration on December 13.
The pub has been taken over by Punch Taverns, which had responsibility for the lease and which plans to re-open the pub later this month.
Two other pubs, in Worthing, – the Montague and the Egremont – have closed their doors, too.
Ready meals
Stephen Sayer, 69, from Chatsmore Crescent, Goring, had booked a Christmas Day dinner for four at The Bull and had already paid the 200 cost for him, his wife Janet, his 95-year-old aunt, Rene Jackman, and her sister-in-law, Mary Lentz, 76.
He said: "The Bull is our local and we have meals there quite often.
"We were really looking forward to it, but then we got a call the Sunday before Christmas saying The Bull had been bought out by another company and would be closed until sometime in January.
"We had to drive around other places to see if we could get a table. We were thinking we might have to end up with take-away meals from Marks and Spencer.
"But we managed to get booked at the Toby Carvery in Goring and it was lovely."
Refund offer
Lisa Burbidge, from The Orchid Group, said it was Punch Taverns' decision to close the pub over Christmas, but that Orchid was willing to give refunds.
She said: "We are fully committed to our customers and we have already reimbursed many of them, and continue to refund any Christmas deposits or Christmas meals paid for and not taken while the pub was with Orchid.
"Customers are only required to call us to discuss and provide us with proof of monies paid."
Keep trading
Sarah Perrins, spokeswoman for Punch Taverns, said: "We appreciate some customers may have had Christmas bookings at the Bull and we made alternative arrangements to accommodate these bookings as far as possible at our other pubs in the area.
"We would like to stress it is Orchid which has gone into administration and we have done everything we can under the circumstances to keep this pub trading."
The spokeswoman went on to say: "We are committed to preserving the pub at the heart of the local community. As a result, we plan to transfer the pub into our managed estate (Spirit).
"We want to retain the pub team and will be paying them during this period of transition.
"We expect the pub to re-open in mid January."
Any customers seeking a refund should call 01727 871100 and ask for operations.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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