Will ‘The Sun’ rise again by St Peter’s?

‘The Marlborough’ – one of Marlborough’s favourite and ‘heritage’ pubs (dating back to the fifteenth century) is going to close this weekend. Sunday (10 August) will be its last day. Will it stay closed, or will Pub Co Stonegate find new tenants to run this important (and once very successful) pub down on the North side of the High Street by St Peter’s? To many still, and for generations prior to the current landlord, ‘The Marlborough’ was ‘The Sun Inn’. Many regulars refused to enter in protest against this change so probably business was lost. In nearby Manton a recent change of tenant allowed the pub to revert to the former name by which it had been known for generations – ‘The Oddfellows Arms’. For a few years it had been ‘The Outside Chance’. So for ‘The Sun Inn’ / ‘The Marlborough’, we’ll have to wait and see.

It’s listed on the Stonegate Pub Partners website, described as ‘A rare opportunity in the heart of one of the South’s most desirable market towns’, which probably isn’t very far off the mark. It is – as noted above – part of Marlborough’s heritage, frequented by many, for dining, staying (it has offered rooms) or just drinking. Or, many, many years ago letting regulars enjoy a game of original Bar Billiards, featuring the table with the three skittles and nine holes. It’s changed, just a bit since then.

Is it a viable and attractive opportunity for anyone wanting to run a pub? What it is and where it is – it should (or could) be. Stonegate quote forecast turnover as being marginally less that £700,000 and ‘guide rent’ as being £1,634 per week. Beyond that it will be for anyone interested to contact Stonegate – see the link above.

The Wellington (opposite) is also being marketed as an opportunity by Stonegate. Would the two be in competition given their proximity? Unlikely, they have both been in their current locations for years – centuries – so as each pub will have its own character and appeal, offering its own particular ambience and reason for frequenting, so no. Not competition. If anything, the two pubs attract drinkers and those seeking a good pub to that end of the High Street, and many will probably frequent both.

Pub Co Stonegate have been approached for comment – no response so far.