I am pleased and delighted to inform you The Fleece Hotel has finally been sold and has legally changed hands at the end of February 2020.

The sale of the pub took a lot longer than I hoped due to complications outside the then owners control.

I may be in a position to enlighten you why there was a significant delay in due course and the full story is quite shocking. That's for another time.

I have done my best to help the owner keep the building safe, especially after the vandals got in two years ago.

I can confirm the building is being converted into apartments which is great news.

The exterior of the pub will remain virtually as it is with significant improvements to it.

The building will be renovated and will once again be one of Ashton's architectural gems restored.

If you pass the pub on Butchers Lane to its rear, you will see work on its conversion has already started.

I made a commitment for the local community and to the town that I would see this matter through to ensure this building was brought back into use asap.

It took longer than I hoped but I am pleased to say my mission has been completed.

Best wishes

Mike Moulding