“The Tavern had very loyal patrons and we know this news will be disappointing for them, but we cannot and will not compromise the safety of our staff or the public,” Mr Pollard said.
The Tavern has been closed temporarily while the Trusts completed the full inspection.
Concerns identified in the report include cladding and possible structural problems with the roof, evidence of dampness (including signs of rot and mould) in the building’s structure and interior, and the need to replace electrical mains.
“We have assessed the cost of repairs and they are prohibitive. At this stage, we have only confirmed our decision to permanently close the tavern and any decisions on the future use of the site will be made at a later stage,” said Mr Pollard.
All employees will be redeployed to other roles.
“We know the community will be keenly interested in the future of the site and we will keep people up to date as our Boards work through their decisions on that. People are welcome to reach out to their elected trustees to share ideas or feedback, or they can join one of our public meetings, or contact us through our website,” said Mr Pollard.