IT is shame to read about the closure of the Hawthorn Inn at Upper Welland. The pub was very well known for its excellent food until a few years ago and a table had to be booked in advance.

There was a superb restaurant area but that sadly is no longer open and is a lounge for use by the landlord and his family.

Perhaps a new landlord could bring the place back to life as the current one seems to have lost interest in the place.

You only need to go down the road to places like the Marlbank or the Pheasant at Welland to see that the demand is there for good local pubs, both are busy all the time, seven days a week.

To lose the Hawthorns would be a real loss to the village and I hope the business is sold as a going concern, rather than be boarded up and closed for good.

PAUL WRIGHT, West Malvern Road, Malvern.