Closed Otley pub wins CAMRA award (From Wharfedale Observer)

Closed Otley pub wins CAMRA award

6:55pm Thursday 24th January 2008

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AN OTLEY inn that was closed despite a public outcry last autumn will be presented with an award for most improved pub' tomorrow.

The symbolic presentation by Leeds CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) will mark a new stage in the campaign to get the Summercross, on East Busk Lane, reopened.

The pub was suddenly closed last October after being sold to Horsforth-based developer Chartford Homes, despite having been successfully run for the previous 18 months by Barry and Pamela Mills.

The Mills' work at the Summercross also earned the pub two awards and tomorrow a third, CAMRA's Most Improved Pub in the area', will be presented at the boarded up building.

Otley's MP Greg Mulholland, part of the Save Our Summercross (SOS) group, said: "This award shows just how much Barry and Pamela Mills did in turning the Summercross once again into a well used and popular community pub.

"The pub - which should never have been closed - was doing well, with great beer, good food and excellent live music.

"I hope Chartford Homes will have the good grace to acknowledge the fact that their plans for development are not wanted by the community in Otley, and will sell it to someone who wants to re-open it as a pub serving the community here, as it has for many years."

Leeds CAMRA has also posted a message of support for SOS on its website, that states: "Leeds CAMRA accepts that pubs are always going to close and for various reasons, drinking habits change, pub styles fall out of fashion or areas become less densely populated with either business or houses.

"But what we don't accept is the closure of pubs for short term monetary gain as with the Summercross in Otley, for here was a pub which appeared to be thriving.

"The closure of the Summercross is of particular concern as it shows that any pub in a nice location and particularly with a bit of land is not safe from the developers' bulldozers."

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