Deal to save shut pub cancelled

The Jolly Angler closed on 16 June

Attempts to reopen a riverside pub that was shut with one day's notice in June have suffered a setback.

Campaigners have been fighting to bring new life to the Jolly Angler on the banks of the River Kennet in Reading.

But the brewery they had hoped would take on the Berkshire site has now pulled out of a 10-year tenancy deal.

West Berkshire Brewery said it could not go ahead with the deal after the previous owners surrendered the licence on the pub.

There are fears the pub in the Newtown area of Reading could be turned into flats after owners Enterprise Inns sold it with a restrictive covenant.

The pub was built by biscuit makers Huntley and Palmers 150 years ago.