Is She or Isn't She?

Stephanie Booth

And we're not talking about the famous Harmony hairspray TV commercial slogan of the 1970s. Though maybe Stephanie's hairdo has a touch of the 1970s Farrah Fawcett feathered lioness about it (not to be confused with that emulated by Gina and her Dog Lane compatriots, the Mia Farrow urchin look).

No, we refer to whether Stephanie is or is not still the owner of the Castle Hotel. There's certainly speculation that she has finally, *finally* sold it to the J D Wetherspoon empire, with some evidence of last minute activity, yesterday and Monday. Last night, the place was deserted, firmly locked shut, no lights, a half-hearted attempt at boarding the downstairs windows on the left and curtains draped over the right.

In town, over the last month, there's been equal conjecture that one side or the other had pulled out. Indeed, the changeover was expected weeks ago but the hotel and restaurant's been struggling on regardless. It's been a long six weeks for all concerned.

If anyone can give a definitive answer, do please say. This is one of our most important buildings and one that, let's be honest, is deteriorating faster than England's Norfolk coastline. The smart money—and evidence—seems on the sale. Can we therefore look forward with some hope to J D Wetherspoon giving the building the refurbishment it deserves? So that it can take its place with pride at the head of St Peter's Square?

Farrah Fawcett

But this comes at a price. Publicans elsewhere have already raised their concerns swifter than their glasses, privately and via the Free Press somewhat publicly. Some feel that the clock's ticking for them but that depends on their public offer and position in the market. They may be right, though there's still the possibility of other outlets upping their game—or downing their prices. Can they compete against Wetherspoon, the Tesco of the pub trade, in terms of price? They're already hard hit by Tesco's two aisles of cheaper booze.

And not just pubs. The lunchtime café trade may be threatened by the McDonald's of the pub world. The Castle Hotel £5.95 lunches never seemed to take off. That proved to be of little concern for the others. JDW is something else altogether. And it was a shock to find Wetherpoon's pubs elsewhere open for breakfast.

Over all, let's try to be positive. The building may yet see its renovation. The result may bring with it fresh faces, people who normally only get as far as Tesco but no further. It's quite conceivable that you can park at Tesco, do ½ hour's worth of shopping, walk into town, buy a drink & meal and *still* have time to wander around before the Tesco fixed penalty. In other words, this could be a net gain.

Or, the town might simply be known as a refuge for those in search of cheap drinks.

Meanwhile, Stephanie is turning her attention to greater things. Harmony at the Wrexham football club, following the complete overhaul of the Wynnstay in Wrecsam. Little wonder she now seems to have less time for Rhuthun/Ruthin. Or spare cash she might wish to use, in spite of her reported millions. Till now. Perhaps.