RESIDENTS in Askam-in-Furness and Ireleth claim they have lost the main "focus of the community" following the mysterious closure of a landmark local pub, reports Zoe Casson.

Members of the community say the Bay Horse Inn has been the centre of Ireleth village life for more than 200 years, serving as a watering hole and hotel.

Jennings Brewery sold the Ireleth Brow pub in March last year to Eric and Dorothy Occleston. Mrs Occleston is the licensee.

It re-opened on May 22 but, after only six months, it closed again and has remained closed since. There are now fears it could become a residential property.

The three large name signs on the outside of the pub have been removed and Mrs Occleston's name no longer appears above the front door.

The telephone number of the pub has also been changed and is now ex-directory.

Concerned residents, who are unhappy with the loss of the community facility, have launched a protest against the closure.

A petition with more than 500 signatures has been sent to

Barrow Borough Council's

planning department ahead of any application by the owners for change of use.

Resident Derek Bland said: "The pub encouraged that community spirit so valuable in small villages. It's been doing that for 200 years and I'd like to see it continue."

Another resident, Roger Whittle, said the Bay Horse Inn was more than a pub. "It was a community centre, a meeting place, a venue for village functions. It's been here for a long time, and we want to keep it for future generations."

Another resident, Martin Borland, is urging the council to take action. "The people of Ireleth are angry and upset that the focus of their village life has been taken away. Barrow council must take action to preserve and enhance the vital amenities of its rural communities, to reverse the succession of losses that we have seen in too many other rural communities," he said.

Enforcement officer at the council Roger Parkinson said he had contacted the new owners of the pub and had been told they closed due to lack of trade.

He said the council had not received a planning application for change of use.

"The accounts proved that the pub didn't do very well but, before they can apply for a change of use, the local plan policy says the owners have to prove they have tried to make a go of the pub for 12 months.

"Until they have done that, nothing can be done to the pub and the owners have been made aware of that."

Despite numerous efforts by The Westmorland Gazette to contact Mr and Mrs Occleston, including visits and a letter to the pub, the couple failed to respond to requests for an interview.

May 29, 2003 16:30