Death knell was sounded for pink Herefordshire village pub

The Pig in a Poke was marketed by specialist commercial agents Sidney Phillips as the only pub on the A49 between Hereford and Leominster when it was put up for sale in March 2000.

The Wellington Marsh pub, previously named The Old Comrade, was put on the market with an asking price of £125,000.

Painted pink, the eye-catching pub was "perfectly located" to take advantage of passing trade on the busy route, as well as local custom, the agents said.

It came complete with about three acres of land with a large car park and beer garden.

But despite the "unique opportunity" that the agents said the pub offered, by November 2000 a planning application had been submitted to Herefordshire Council seeking to convert it into a home.

The former Pig in a Poke is now a home (Image: Google Maps)

Local historian and former county archaeologist Ron Shoesmith was among those to oppose the application, arguing that surrounding development could change the fortunes of the pub, which had been serving locals since the 1850s.

Mr Shoesmith, who had co-authored books looking at Herefordshire pubs from a historical perspective, said the pub's closure would be detrimental to the already 'sparse' facilities in the area, and that the new lease of life for the adjacent Moreton camp might make a difference to the business.

But Herefordshire Council was not swayed, and time was called on the pub with approval granted for its conversion in February 2001.

The former pub is now a private home.