The big news in today's Free Press seems to confirm the rumour around town (and on this blog via Comments) that Stephanie's Castle Hotel has passed to J D Wetherspoon. Mind you, there's nothing especially concrete from the latter.Not that Stephanie is giving up in Rhuthun. Oh no. She retains the Anchor.
It was exactly 10 days ago that Stephanie closed the Castle Hotel. Up went a modest block capitals A4 sheet of paper in the window telling of its closure and advising people to pop down to the Anchor. For those unfamiliar with Rhuthun there were no directions. It was signed in inimitable fashion as "MANAGEMENT". Indeed, the notice followed the dismantling of the canopy above the entrance.
So, what now? We await the conversion of the building and other landlords & managers watch to see the extent of the competition. Competition is something we've covered before, and more than once. For Wetherspoon's has previously been sniffing around Rhuthun and almost bought, blaming the recession for pulling out.
We will now see the restoration of the building. Note, "restoration", for the fabric is in need of major work. Previously, JDW talked of a £2mil investment. Since the Castle Hotel is a jewel of St Peter's Square, this will be a good thing.
We can also look forward to cheap wine, cheap beer and cheap food, perhaps not unlike that already served at lunchtimes at the Castle Hotel. In theory, this should not affect the up-market restaurants about town (Manor House, On the Hill, perhaps the Morning Star). We're not sure about the others. Or cafés open at lunchtime.
And this is an existing hostelry and not a new one. It's instead of rather than as well as. This may be some relief to existing pubs.
And what's this all about: according to the Free Press, Herself's "Dee Valley event company is looking at suitable show venues in and around the town".