Lancashire food company adds to its growing collection

A popular Pendle eatery has been bought by an award-winning food company as it plans to revive the venue to its former glory. 

The Seafood Pub Company, who boast seven venues across the Pendle and Lancashire area, including the Barley Mow in Barley, the Assheton Arms in Downham, and the Oyster & Otter in Feniscowles, has proudly bought the Forest Inn on Cuckstool Lane in Fence.  

Joycelyn Neve, managing director said, “We’re absolutely thrilled with the latest addition to the Seafood Pub Company family.

“The venue has a fantastic history and reputation; we’re excited to bring this back to life, and really make the site work as a thriving pub for both locals in the area and guests from further afield. 

“Bedrooms will feature on site, and there will be a beautiful beer garden for customers to relax and enjoy delicious food and drink in the summer months.” 

The Forest Inn has a colourful history; after closing, it traded as Italian restaurant and wine bar Barocco’s and more recently, Indian restaurant Babar Elephant, before being closed and derelict for the last year.    

The venue has a certain charm and boasts plenty of character; qualities which made it a popular haunt for locals in the area back in its heyday.  The Seafood Pub Company is keen to instil its ethos within the pub, and once again make it a successful and loveable place to visit. 

Joycelyn added, “We’re hoping that the pub will reopen in August; it’s a great time for both us and the local community, with the new opening set to provide a number of fantastic job opportunities for those in the hospitality industry in the Burnley and Pendle area.” 

Anyone interested in a career with the Seafood Pub Company should contact [email protected].