Regulars at a country pub are petitioning the company that owns it after the unexpected departure of the landlord forced its closure.

They had turned up to take part in a quiz at the Brown Cow in Thornton Road, Keelham, Denholme, to find it had closed its doors.

Alan Sutcliffe and his wife Carol, have run the pub for several years. They would say only that the Brown Cow was changing hands and that they were leaving the pub trade.

Leeds-based Vanguard Pubs and Restaurants, the leasing division of Allied Domecq Inns which owns the pub, confirmed today that it was foreclosing on Mr Sutcliffe's lease.

But regulars have now collected more than 100 signatures on a petition calling for the company to reinstate the couple.

Gerald Moreton, a regular at the Brown Cow, said people in Keelham were very upset to find out that Mr and Mrs Sutcliffe were no longer running the pub.

"We have enjoyed well-run quizzes, games nights and felt it to be a very welcoming atmosphere when bringing our grandchildren for meals," said Mr Moreton, of Well Street, Denholme.

"At a time when public houses are closing down at an alarming rate due to spiralling costs it is to Mr Sutcliffe and his staff's credit that not only have they kept a public house going that is situated in a relatively isolated place that they have in fact built up the clientele.

"It is also very important to realise that the Brown Cow is a local in the true sense of the word. Keelham is a family and clearly Alan and Carol are very important members of this family. To lose these people will cause a lot of upset. Alan and Carol are respected locally for the part they play in the community."

The Vanguard spokesman said she could not go into details of why the company was foreclosing on the lease but added that there were financial reasons.

"We believe we've treated Mr Sutcliffe and his wife fairly and I appreciate that people are upset," she said.

She added that the company hoped to be able to re-open the Brown Cow some time next week with a temporary manager.

Mr Sutcliffe said he was leaving the pub because the rent which was being charged had become too high but denied that financial problems were anything to do with his departure.

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