'Rising Sun' to close on Sunday...

[dutchman]

Jason Cotterill-Attaway, who runs The Rising Sun, in Spon Street, has called time on the pub after almost two years of trading.


(Picture by Albert S. Bite)

He says the decision to leave has nothing to do with the court case involving wife Laura, who was given a suspended jail sentence last week after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm.

But he admitted the case does mean the couple will not be able to take up a new post at a pub in Kidderminster after the brewery pulled out after hearing about Laura’s conviction.

Jason said: “The brewery in Kidderminster offered me the pub but that’s fallen through now. They said it was because I didn’t tell them about the court case and now they’ve withdrawn the contract but they never asked me about Laura at the time.

“She doesn’t have anything to do with the business. She was a little stressed at the time of the hearing but she’s been feeling better now.”

Jason was hoping to make a fresh start by running a pub in Kidderminster with Laura and severely autistic son Michael.

He said: “Closing up has nothing to do with the recent court case involving my wife. We’re still moving to Kidderminster but not until later in the year. We’re living at the pub until mid February and will be ringing around to find another temporary place to live in Coventry.

“We’re moving for my son who will be starting at a special school – his education comes first.”

Jason, who opened the pub in June 2009, said one of the reasons behind the decision to leave the pub is a legal dispute with owners Enterprise Inns over repairs and rental costs of more than £3,000, which he says he doesn’t owe.

He said: “We discussed an early release with Enterprise Inns and they agreed to put it back on the market.

“They said we could leave without any penalties but they are charging us trading fees of £3,000 in February when we won’t even be open.”

Jason met Laura on social networking site Myspace and they married in a medieval-style wedding on St George’s Day last year.

He plans to “go out with a bang” by playing host to bands, Dub Jam Force, on Friday night and Sack Sabbath, on Saturday. There will also be a rock karaoke night on Sunday on the last trading day.

Speaking about the pub, he said: “I don’t regret being here – everything happens for a reason.”

Enterprise Inns was unavailable for comment.

[PoundShopPeter]

Enterprise Inns in the news once again!