Stourbridge pub vows to reopen following devastating car crash

Jun 17 2008

A LANDMARK Midland pub which was left in ruins when a car careered out of control, causing tens of thousands of pounds damage, is to reopen on June 27, it was announced today.

The future of The Railway, at Pedmore Road, Lye, Stourbridge, was put in jeopardy by the accident on April 4, which customers described as “like a bomb going off”.

Owners Punch Taverns had to decide whether it was worth rebuilding the ravaged pub or clear the site.

They opted to reconstruct the popular pub, with builders moving in a month ago to begin the mammoth task of restoring it.

Now Punch are urging locals to throw their weight behind The Railway when it finally reopens almost three months after the disaster.

Punch Taverns public relations officer Jo Sandall said: “We are delighted to confirm that The Railway is due to reopen on June 27.

“The licensees have our full support as we help them build a successful business once again.

“We would also urge the local community to get behind the pub once it reopens.”

A large section of the pub came crashing down and an upstairs bedroom collapsed into the road following the accident, leaving a gaping hole in the front of the building.

It took firefighters about two hours to get five people in the Seat Leon car from underneath the pile of rubble.

Customers feared the popular pub, left devastated in the incident, might have to be demolished, bringing to an end many years of history.

Punch Taverns said the licensees, who have been in charge at the pub for a number of years, could not wait to get back behind the bar after their lives were turned upside down.¶