Search is on for a new landlord (From Oxford Mail)

Search is on for a new landlord

9:30am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Witney

A POPULAR Witney pub could reopen this autumn following its sudden closure and the bankruptcy of its landlord last week.

The Plough Inn, in High Street, closed last Wednesday after the publican, Robert O’Connell, was made bankrupt.

Admiral Taverns, which owns the pub, hopes to find a new tenant and plans to reopen in October or November.

Mr O’Connell said: “The main reason for the bankruptcy was an unpaid VAT bill between 2008 and 2010.”

He said he planned to dispute the overall figure, which he would not reveal, and his liability.

Mr O’Connell added: “Brewery-owned pubs are difficult to run but the pub, over the past year-and-a-half, has turned a corner and has been doing well.”

Admiral Taverns’ business development manager Nicola Reeves said: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, our tenants have had to leave the Plough at Witney and the pub is temporarily closed.

“However, Admiral has now begun the search for a new landlord to take on what is a thriving business in a fantastic location.”

The London Gazette, the official record of bankruptcies, said HM Revenue & Customs issued “petitions to wind up (partnerships)” on June 25. Mr O’Connell was then made bankrupt on September 3.