A TAUNTON pub remains empty near the town centre despite being once a popular hotspot for many locals.

The Master Thatcher, near Taunton's Hamilton Park, has remained closed since November 2022, with a member of the public living nearby saying the pub was failing to attract high customer numbers.

The business is in an elegant thatched property formerly owned by Bridport-based Palmers Brewery - which refused to comment on the closure.

In August 2019 it "permanently closed", with the tenant blaming the cost of drinks imposed by the brewery and high overheads.

The thatched property was vacant for nine months before reopening under new management, running a 'Chew Chew Bbq Drive-Thru' three nights a week on top of the usual pub offering.

Currently, the pub is up for sale on Rightmove for a small price of £1.5million, with the pub's identity remaining the same - despite the boarded-up windows.

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Inside, the open-plan pub and restaurant area is traditional in design with wooden beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and a feature fireplace.

Upstairs on the first floor is a fully furnished function suite that holds a bar service area, dance floor, and DJ Booth.

Master Thatcher is situated on a site area of 1.143 acres with 70 spaces for car parking, as well as a large beer garden with space for over 100 customers.

 

The Master Thatcher in Taunton officially closed for good in November 2022. (Image: Newsquest)

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Speaking in 2019, the owner of the Master Thatcher at the time mentioned "financial difficulties" as one of the several reasons the Taunton pub shut its doors.

"It’s with a heavy heart that we have to announce that we are now permanently closed," said the former owner of the Master Thatcher. "We would like to thank all of our customers for their custom and support.

"This [the closure] is due to us being charged extortionate prices by the brewery that we are tied to - other nearby pubs who are free from tie can sell all drinks for less than us.

"High overheads have also been a constant battle, rent, rates, electric, gas and expensive insurance (due to being a huge building with a thatched roof)."