'Baffled' by decision to sell pub

MORE THAN 1,200 SIGN PETITION AS WETHERSPOON PLACES THE ERNEHALE ON MARKET

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

The Ernehale is a popular pub at the heart of the community - but owners JD Wetherspoon want to sell it

CAMPAIGNERS are ramping up their fight to save a Wetherspoon pub in Arnold which they describe as the "heart and soul" of the community.

Community leaders and residents alike were left in shock in February after it was announced that The Ernehale had gone up for sale.

The pub giant has put the spot in Nottingham Road on the market for offers in excess of £400,000.

However, the move has been met with widespread criticism and more than 1,200 signatures have been left on a petition set up by Gedling's Labour MP Michael Payne, who has called on the pub company to reverse its decision.

Andrew Ludlow, secretary of the Nottingham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), said The Ernehale was a popular meeting place and that it offered affordability during the cost of living crisis.

He said: "While Wetherspoons are a business entity, they are often the heart and soul of communities. They offer facilities for such long periods of the day, with good value beer, wines, cider. In places like Arnold I doubt there's many that can open and cover all those requirements.