Car smashes into town pub and destroys bar area

Warwickshire police received reports at 10.03pm on Wednesday 25 September that a car had crashed into the Windmill Inn pub in Whitnash, Leamington Spa.

Two people were reported to have fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle. A 39-year-old man from Warwick was arrested less than half an hour after the crash on Sutton Drive in Whitnash.

No reported injuries 

After being arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop after an accident, drink driving and driving without a licence, he was taken to hospital for a check-up and subsequently taken to custody.

The suspect remains in custody and the vehicle has been seized by Warwickshire Police.

According to the police report, there were “quite a few” customers in the pub at the time of the collision and the building had to be evacuated. There were no reported injuries.

Fire services were also called to the pub due to concerns a gas pipe had been damaged as a result of the incident. Nearby houses were also evacuated.

Business as usual 

It was later confirmed no gas pipe damage had been caused but a structural engineer was called to check the venue. Work was also carried out overnight to make sure the building was secure.

While the accident destroyed the pub’s bar area, the operator has assured customers it will be “open for business as usual” and urged anyone with information to contact Warwickshire Police.

In a post on The Windmill Inn’s Facebook page, the pub said: “Just to confirm that there was an accident here last night, a car went into the side of the bar, thankfully nobody was hurt.

“Anyone with information please pass on to the police. Happy to say the restaurant side is safe so we will be open for business as usual.”