There is a ray of hope shining over the Toby Jug Inn, Bickington which has lain closed since 2003. News has just come in that Heavitree 'Brewery' PLC (I put 'Brewery' in inverted commas because it has not brewed beers since 1970 ) owners of this long closed establishment have submitted plans to Teignbridge Council to refurbish and extend it. As readers will be aware Heavitree closed the pub 4 years ago saying it was not commercially viable and announced plans to build homes on the site. Villagers were rightfully up in arms about it as they saw the pub as having been deliberately run down. To fight the proposed development villagers set up the Save The Toby Jug Action Group (STAG) and brought pressure to bear on the Council to explore a compulsory purchase order for the pub and they also attracted the interest of the hospitality company Wykeham Group who expressed an interest in re-opening it. STAG spokesman David Whitbread is rightfully cautious at this stage and is reluctant to pass comment other than saying its hopefully a step in the right direction until he and other villagers see the plans and read the small print. Lets keep our fingers crossed that everything works out well for the villagers.

Colin Moore - 15/03/2007.

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This page was last updated on 15-Mar-2007