New hope for Maltby pub

Hopes are brewing that a dilapidated pub at the heart of a community could have new life breathed into it following interest from a major pub chain.

The Queen’s Hotel at Maltby, which has been standing empty for several months, has been at the centre of speculation that recession-defying pub chain J D Wetherspoon is planning to take it over.

A spokesman for the low-cost food and drink specialists this week refused to confirm or deny whether the rumours were true.

He said that he could not comment on an exact location but confirmed: “We are currently in negotiations for a site in the town and we are keen to have a site in Maltby.”

Residents welcomed the prospect.

The clerk of Maltby Town Council, Ann Stewart, said: “The Queen’s Hotel lies at the very heart of the town and at the moment it is a real eyesore.

“Any prospect of having the building restored to its former glory would be a great boost to the town.”

A Maltby town councillor said: “I am currently compiling a range of historic pictures of Maltby for an exhibition and the Queen’s Hotel is one of the places that keeps cropping up.

“During its heyday in the early 1930s it was run by a Mr Pike, and I have a fantastic picture of him and all his staff which shows just how successful it must have been once upon a time.

“It would be great to see the good times return.”