'New life' breathed into two pubs after revamp

Two Shropshire pubs have reopened after they were both closed for about two years.

The Three Fishes in Bayston Hill was badly damaged when a lorry crashed into it in November 2024, while the Grade II-listed Bridge Inn in Newport reopened on Thursday after an "extensive" refurbishment.

Owned by Black Country Ales, The Three Fishes has undergone a two-year restoration programme, while local family business Rowton Brewery bought the Bridge Inn 18 months ago.

Steve Preston, who co-owns Rowton Brewery with his brother Peter, said: "It's all about bringing these old pubs back, bringing some life back into these old pubs."

The family submitted an application to Telford & Wrekin Council last year detailing planned repairs to the roof and chimney that were described as "essential to safeguard the building's historic fabric".

The renovations also included restoring its traditional black-and-white exterior and adding a new sign, front lobby and timber booths with leather seats.

A former stable has been converted into a dining room and kitchen with a "lovely vaulted ceiling", Steve said.

The pub will serve real ale and traditional cider on tap.

Rowton Brewery, which operates five pubs across Shropshire, was founded in 2008 by ex-farmer Jim Preston, and began as a micro-brewery in a cattle shed on the family farm.

Now owned by his sons, the business's owners believe that renovating the pub, established in 1747, was "money well spent".

Steve said: "Every pub saved is a benefit," he added.

"At the end of the day, a pub is a pub, but it's an experience, isn't it? [People] want to be able to come in and be welcome and ultimately enjoy themselves," said Steve.

Jim's wife Sue said she had transformed the beer garden and wanted it to be "a lovely little oasis in the middle of Newport".

Meanwhile, the Three Fishes in Bayston Hill has been almost completely rebuilt after it was hit by a lorry in 2024.

Black Country Ales, which bought the pub shortly before the crash, had to demolish parts of the building and start from scratch.

Repairs had been delayed until this year because of an insurance claim. It now has a larger bar and cellar and accommodation upstairs.

Rob Gazzard, area manager for the brewery, said returning regulars would find that the pub looked "very different" from its former self. He also hoped the transformation would prompt more punters to discover it for the first time.

"You get people from age 18 to 80 in [pubs], and from every walk of life possible, and it's what makes pubs great isn't it? It's a proper melting pot of the local community," he said. "I'm very very pleased to see it opening."

He added that the pub would serve "a good selection of ales", as well as snacks like cobs, sausage rolls and pork pies.

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