Residents create petition to stop pub serving food

Marston’s-owned, the Old Bush in Wombourne was taken over by licensee Shell Hannon just eight weeks ago.

She said: “We didn’t do the petition, it has been started by our customers. They are just voicing their opinion.”

The online petition currently stands at 108 signatures and is addressed to Marston's head of taverns Rod Walker.

Tough competition

The petition​ was started by Hayley Hall, and said: “Not content with the trade of regular drinkers and visitors who just want a traditional drinking pub, Marston’s want to introduce a food menu into the Old Bush Inn at Wombourne, Staffordshire.

“This is Wombourne, a large medieval village with a population of just over 14,000 (according to the 2011 census) that already has 10 dining pubs within a five mile radius of the Old Bush, as well as restaurants and cafes.

“In an industry where competition is tough and customers are even tougher, why spoil the good, traditional atmosphere of a village pub, concentrating on serving drinks and occasional snacks. Getting the basics right means so much more!

“The demise of the old style pub has been for several reasons, one of which being the insistence of pub companies forcing retail formats on managers and customers, that nobody wants, in the name of progress and competition."

Diverse offer

It added: “Well, Marston’s, you have got this one all wrong. Leave the Old Bush alone! Let the drinkers rule. Paul and Shell are working hard to increase revenue in the short time they have been there. They don’t need a food menu to do it.”

Daniel Williams from Marston’s Taverns lauded the decision to return food to the pub to give customers a more diverse offer.

He said: “The Old Bush served food for many years and we are pleased to be reintroducing a menu at the pub.

“We want to give customers a great pub on their doorstep offering all the things customers want from their local.”