MYSTERY surrounds the shock closure of a popular town centre pub.
The Burton pub in Victoria Street has not opened it doors for almost a month leaving regulars none the wiser why.
Owner London & Edinburgh Inns Limited is remaining tight-lipped but confirmed it aims to re-open the Crewe pub within the next week.
The pub and hotel chain says it is interviewing prospective tenants in the hope that they will restore the pub to its former glory.
London & Edinburgh's North West representative Paul Massey said: 'I can confirm that we are currently in talks with possible tenants for the Burton and we should have a decision within the next 10 days.'
The chain has a 35-year lease on the pub which is let by Newlord Ltd.
Auctioneers Allsop & Co now plans to auction off the property as a going concern on March 22.
A former employee at the pub, who asked not to be named, said trade had been hit when it closed for six weeks for refurbishment just at the time nearby Wetherspoons pub, The Gaffers Row opened.
He added: 'There was a problem with the wrong people being attracted to the pub as it was open plan. I believe that open plan pubs invite trouble because everyone is so close together that drunken conversations can lead to fights.'
He added: 'It is much harder for pubs in the centre of Crewe to compete as most people seem to be on Nantwich Road, particularly the younger generation.'
