A PUB has been forced to close after “unsuitable” and “unsafe” furniture allegedly caused a woman to break her hand.
Manager Peter Lewis revealed he has called last orders at the Brewers Arms in St John’s after ongoing issues with the watering hole’s furniture.
The businessman had taken over the pub on Comer Road in April with the ambition to breathe life back into the Worcester venue.
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However, he claimed that a disagreement with the pub company Stonegate over inadequate furniture has led him to step down.
“Unsafe” furniture allegedly caused a woman to break her hand. (Image: Peter Lewis)
He claimed the situation escalated after a woman fell off an unstable stool and broke her hand.
“Every table and chair was unfit for purpose – it was poor,” he said.
“Someone fell off a stool – not due to being drunk – because of how unsafe the table and chairs were inside.
“It put me under pressure, and the general management are not getting back to us.
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“I have previously had to come in and glue seats – my hands were tied.
“It’s embarrassing.”
Mr Lewis said he had sorted what furniture he wanted to get to replace the worn-out ones in the pub but was waiting for Stonegate to take action on this.
He said he had chased the company several times but never received a reply.
Mr Lewis added: “Why would a company do this to someone?
“I had to shake a hundred of people’s hands to get the pub to where it was.
The manager has hit out at broken tables and chairs at The Brewers Arms. (Image: The Brewers Arms)
“When I arrived at the pub, there was no staff in there – I built a good team and helped build the community’s confidence.
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“I have welled up a few times reading all the [positive] comments [online].
“It has been quite an emotional week for me.
“I want to create awareness to anyone dealing with Stonegate and to those thinking of getting into the pub trade.”
Mr Lewis said Stonegate had promised to deliver on investing in new furniture for the pub.
EMPTY: The Brewers Arms in St John’s has now been boarded up. (Image: Peter Lewis)
A spokesperson from Stonegate Pub Partners said: “We are committed to supporting our pub partners and ensuring our venues remain vibrant parts of their local communities.
“This is demonstrated by the fact that we have invested a record amount in our estate this year, helping pubs grow, succeed and serve their communities.
“We are now actively seeking a new publican to lead the Brewers Arms into its next chapter.”
It added that the provision and maintenance of loose furniture is the responsibility of the publican within agreements.
