Final festive farewell for Sumpter Horse Inn

One of Preston's longest-serving landladies is having one last hurrah after losing a long-running battle regarding the demolition of her Penwortham pub
Landlady Marilyn McDonnell is giving the Sumpter Horse a final farewellLandlady Marilyn McDonnell is giving the Sumpter Horse a final farewell
Landlady Marilyn McDonnell is giving the Sumpter Horse a final farewell

Back in February it was announced that the Sumpter Horse Inn, located on Leyland Road, would be torn down to build an access route to a new £46m housing development.

Now Marilyn McDonnell, landlady of the pub for the last 15 years, has revealed to The Post that she has until August 31 to vacate the property.

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To celebrate the pub’s 200-year-old rich history, Marilyn is today, Saturday August 19, throwing her annual Christmas party four months early.

Marilyn said: “We needed to give the pub one last send off. It’s been very hard for me to come to terms with what is happening.

“I have lost the battle but in the end won the war, as it has brought everyone together in the community.”

Marilyn has pulled out all the stops decorating the pub, so much so that even Father Christmas himself might be tempted to make a premature visit.

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Marilyn said: “There will never be a pub like this again. It is one of a kind.

“Saying goodbye to the place will break my heart.”

Marilyn is being relocated into a one-bedroom flat in Penwortham alongside her dog, Tammy, after fighting the plans for almost a decade. She used to run the pub with husband Peter before he passed away.

She added: “There’s nothing I can do anymore. The fight has gone out of me.”

Bovis Homes, who are behind the housing development, were approached for a comment but declined.

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