Pub ready to reopen two years after lorry smash

A pub closed since it was badly damaged by a lorry two years ago is due to re-open later this week.

Black Country Ales bought the Three Fishes in Bayston Hill near Shrewsbury shortly before the crash in November 2024 and said it had carried out a "substantial" rebuild.

Some of the pub was so badly damaged it had to be pulled down and Black Country Ales said repairs did not begin until April this year, following lengthy negotiations with insurers.

New landlords were chosen last month and the company said contractors were carrying out the final jobs this week.

The pub chain was given planning permission in March 2025 to restore the building on the A49, with a larger bar and cellar, as well as accommodation on the first floor and a smoking shelter.

At the time, the company's managing director Graham Manwaring said the crash had not changed the plans for the pub, which he said he wanted to be a good, real ale venue.

He also said he wanted to keep the front of the pub looking "pretty much the same", while making it larger at the back, partly to incorporate the new cellar.

Black Country Ales said the final tasks, including wallpapering and the creation of a new pub sign, were now complete, leaving just finishing touches before Thursday's opening.

When the lorry struck the pub and the Hong Kong City takeaway next door, the previous landlord had been preparing to move out and hand over the keys to Black Country Ales.

James Duerden described seeing "total devastation" when he was called to the venue, adding: "I'm really thankful there was no one in the building at the time."

Firefighters took an hour to cut the lorry driver free before he was taken to hospital for treatment.

No-one else is believed to have been injured and the Chinese takeaway has since re-opened.

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