‘The business is completely unsustainable’: Landmark pub closes but brewery says it will ‘thrive’ again
A pub has closed with the management claiming ‘the business is completely unsustainable’.
The Ridgeway Arms, a ‘pub and grill’, just off the A6 and close to the railway station in Blackrod, has long been a landmark in the area with its distinctivemock Tudor exterior.
The pub was taken on by a new management team in August 2025 as a ‘short-term opening’ but now an update has been made that ‘with genuine sadness that we have to announce that The Ridgeway Arms will be closing’.
The pub company which owns the Ridgeway, Punch, described the closure as ‘temporary’ and they added that they are seeking new management ‘to ensure this pub thrives at the heart of the community for many years to come’.
The statement from ‘Ridgeway Arms team’, said: “From the outset, this was always intended to be a short-term opening, with a long-term agreement scheduled to be signed in January.
“Unfortunately, during those negotiations it became clear that the terms being proposed made the business completely unsustainable. “The rent being requested would have increased by almost three times, previously promised brewery investment was withdrawn, our gas and electricity costs were increased, and we are now facing an impending rise in business rates to approximately £700 per week.
“Alongside this, we have already invested significant amounts of our own money into the property, with no meaningful support forthcoming.
“Despite repeated assurances and discussions, the brewery have been unwilling to work with us to create a viable long-term future for the business.
“As a result, we feel we have been left with no choice but to step away. We want to place on record our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past six months — our incredible staff who gave everything, and our customers and local community who made The Ridgeway Arms what it was. It has genuinely been a pleasure and a privilege.”
Punch Pubs & Co operations manager Jon Barnes said: “We can confirm that The Ridgeway pub has temporarily closed.
“The statement posted online is disappointing, as we have always been consistent, fair and transparent throughout our conversations about the long-term opportunity, which is still being advertised.
“We understand how much this pub means to the community, and we would like to reassure our guests that investing in the pub remains our priority, that we are recruiting a fantastic publican, and that we will work together to ensure this pub thrives at the heart of the community for many years to come.”