Hold on to your pint glasses, Kempsey – rumour has it the Walter de Cantelupe Inn (yes, that Walter) is up for grabs. And not just in the “free pint glass if you ask nicely” sort of way – we’re talking £420,000 and the whole lot could be yours. That’s right: the pub, the car park, the garden, the potential ghost of a 13th-century bishop who just wanted a quiet pint… all on the market.
So, what’s the story? Well, here’s what we do know:
- The Walter’s been looking a little quiet lately.
- It’s officially listed for sale.
- A housing developer was spotted snooping about the other day with a clipboard and that suspicious air of “We’ll just bulldoze it and call it The Paddocks.”
Cue the village speculation machine: fully activated.
Will It Be Bulldozed?
Let’s address the pint glass-shaped elephant in the room. Could this be the end of Walter’s reign as Kempsey’s most charmingly unpredictable boozer? Could we soon see it flattened and replaced with “luxury” townhouses that are only luxurious if you’re under 5’8” and allergic to storage space?
Possibly. But oh, how the villagers would talk. And you know at least three people would chain themselves to the last remaining beer pump in protest.
Refugee Housing? It’s Been Whispered…
One theory doing the rounds (mostly at the bus stop, in hushed tones) is that the site could be used for temporary accommodation or refugee housing. A practical and needed use, but you can already hear the WhatsApp groups pinging with opinions, can’t you? Whether it happens or not, it’s officially in the rumour mill now. You’re welcome.
A Spa… With “Extras”?
Now, this is where it gets juicy. Someone (and we won’t name names, but she’s got a Chihuahua and a very sharp bob) suggested turning the place into a treatment spa with “extra services.” We’re not sure what that means exactly – Reiki and reflexology, or something that would get the place listed on a very different sort of website – but it certainly got the parish council meeting buzzing.
Pineapples & Pampas Grass: You Know What That Means…
Let’s not ignore the rogue suggestion from “that couple down the road” who are always suspiciously well-dressed for Aldi: a swingers’ social club, complete with tasteful décor, ambient lighting, and an abundance of pampas grass.
Too wild? Maybe. But it would definitely put Kempsey back on the map in ways we’re not sure the tourism board is ready for.
Or… Could It Actually Be Reborn?
Of course, there’s still hope for a more heartwarming ending. Maybe someone will swoop in, refurbish the place, and give the Walter a new lease of life. A gastropub! A quirky tearoom! A live music venue that serves a good pie and doesn’t try to be ironic!
Final Thoughts (Because We’re All Thinking It)
Whatever happens to the Walter de Cantelupe Inn, one thing’s certain: Kempsey’s gossip channels are at full capacity. Whether it’s turned into flats, a wellness centre for stressed Labradors, or the UK’s first Bishop-themed Airbnb, you can bet we’ll be watching – and chatting about it – in the shop queue.
Stay tuned. This pint isn’t empty yet. 👇🏻
