A PUB landlord is allowing customers to bring in takeaways while he is unable to do the cooking after suffering a heart attack – but admits his future is “very much in limbo”.

Tim Churchman, of the Alma Tavern, Worcester, suffered a mild heart attack at the end of last month and has only just come out of hospital and got back behind the bar.

The 52-year-old industry veteran is now allowing takeaways to be brought into the Droitwich Road pub while he gets back to full health.

“I was cooking the food here all myself, but it’s not something I can do right now,” he said.

“If you want to bring your own takeaway, then do so. I don’t think anyone else does it.”

He said he will provide the crockery and cutlery and has even struck up deals with takeaway providers Delhi Spice, on The Tything, and Happy Garden, in Barbourne, who will deliver to the pub.

“People have been bringing fish and chips and curry and it’s working. It just opens it up again.”

Having taken over the Alva in October, there was serious concern about Mr Churchman’s future when new owners Star Pubs & Bars unexpectedly put up an advert for the lease in January.

He took over as part of a tenant at will agreement with previous owners Punch Taverns, which means there is no fixed term.

Mr Churchman said such a measure was a precautionary approach taken by himself and the former owners because he had been out of the industry for five years.

But, having put £10,000 of his own money into the pub, he said he has always made his “intentions clear” that he wants to “take over the running of the pub”.

He said he has since met with Star Pubs which has offered him “first refusal on the pub” but does not have any firm idea on proposed refurbishment plans which were in the works under Punch.

“At the moment, I’m staying put and running it as a community pub, keeping it afloat,” he said.

“As long as I can break even and it’s not costing me money, I’m happy to stick it out.”

A spokesperson for Star Pubs previously said: “We would like to reassure the community that nothing will happen to The Alma in the short term.”