Popular village pub in Barley saved from closure by locals

An historic Lancashire pub in the heart of the Ribble Valley threatened with closure has been purchased and saved by a local consortium.

Barley Mow, located in Barley, near Pendle Hill, closed in June 2020 after previous owners, The Seafood Pub Company, went into administration. It has been acquired from the administrators by Barley residents who will operate the pub through their company PTL Property Limited.

The new owners are keen to transform Barley Mow into a popular ‘go to’ for locals and stopover for walkers to the area. It will operate as a free house with an extensive range of beers and wines, and restaurant serving traditional pub meals. It will also offer accommodation.

Pub manager, William McLean, hopes to reopen the pub in Spring, subject to the easing of current lockdown restrictions. Once fully operational, he plans to recruit over 10 part-time workers and casual bar staff to support the management team.

Clitheroe law firm Harrison Drury, led by property lawyer Wendy Newbury, advised the new owners on the purchase of the pub from the administrators with additional support from the firm’s insolvency specialist James Robbins. Partner David Edwards dealt with the transfer of the premise’s licence.

Pub manager William said: “We can’t wait to reopen Barley Mow as a pub and restaurant and get started. It is a beautifully furnished country pub, emulating the feeling of a ski chalet and located in the heart of Barley village.

“We hope, with our ‘hearty’ home-cooked food and outside bar and seating area, it becomes a popular destination to drop anchor after a long walk up Pendle Hill. We also have six beautifully furnished en-suite bedrooms that are perfect for short breaks and overnight stays for tired walkers.”

“The new owners had previously used Harrison Drury’s legal services and were extremely pleased Wendy and her team could help again. Not only did they advise on the purchase of the pub they helped us tie up all the necessary legal requirements to operate the Barley Mow as a free house.”

Wendy added: “We are delighted to support such an enthusiastic business venture inspired by local people keen to save their local pub.

“William had a brief period last year to get a taste for the pub business by offering a takeaway food service. They were overwhelmed with interest from locals. The pub is currently closed because of lockdown, but the owners remain in good spirits and ready to make a success of this business when restrictions are finally lifted.” 

The Barley Mow, a dog-friendly village pub located on the foothills to Pendle Hill, hopes to reopen with a full bar and restaurant service and accommodation in Spring 2021.