A Herefordshire pub operated for more than ten years without a licence, it has been confirmed.

The Wheelwrights Arms, in the village of Pencombe west of Bromyard, was put on sale earlier this year for £350,000.

It now appears to be owned by Cramar Leisure, registered at nearby Bringsty, which has put in an application for a new licence to sell alcohol on the premises.

According to its Facebook page, the pub reopened with a new landlord on May 25, apparently under a temporary licence. 

Its application for a full licence describes it as an “established and ancient country public house in rural setting which seemingly has been trading with NO premises licence for over a decade”.

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A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “The council received an application to transfer the licence to the new owner, but found that the licence had been surrendered approximately 10 years ago.

“There were no complaints in relation to the premises and it was therefore not known that it was still open. The individual running the premises while unlicensed has left, and we will be taking no further action.

“However, we would like to remind people that running a licensable activity without holding a licence is an offence and carry a penalty of up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.”

The pub's owner is seeking permission to trade between 11am and 11pm seven days a week, with an extension to 1am on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, bank holidays and Sundays before bank holiday Mondays.

Comments on the application can be made until June 15.