Lifeline for vacant pub?

The Crown at Worthington, located on Platt Lane in Standish, has been closed since January of last year, sparking fears that the site would become increasingly attractive to developers who have already saturated the township with planning applications.

But community group Standish Voice, which has hotly objected proposals to flatten the once booming inn to make way for new houses, now says there is a shining beacon of hope in the form of two interested parties.

The group posted to their Facebook page: "The Crown pub is being viewed by people who want to keep it going as a venue.

"The pub - which has stood empty since it closed in January last year - has been cleared and cleaned and at least two interested parties are considering running it as a going concern.

"A planning application to knock down the pub and to build houses on the plot has been held in abeyance.

"The Save The Crown Campaign, which aims to rescue the historic Bradley building, a pub for at least 150 years, is still working hard to save it. Fingers crossed."

The Crown, dubbed the "heart and soul" of the community, was offered a lifeline when back in April it went back up on the market at a reduced price. "Save the Crown" continues to hold regular events to keep it in the public eye.