A RIBBLE Valley pub which has served its community for decades has been closed and put up for sale.

The Windmill in Mellor Brook has been placed on the market by owners Enterprise Inns.

The move comes after an extensive refurbishment in the summer of 2010 at the Preston New Road venue.

The company has said that it made the decision to sell the pub after careful consideration and has said that the pub no longer had a long-term future as part of its estate.

The closure comes after residents voiced their concerns over the future of another Enterprise Inns-owned pub, The Brown Cow in Chatburn.

The pub closed recently and a new tenant is currently being sought by the owners.

The former farmhouse served the village for more than 100 years as a pub and had been run by John Ellis, who is originally from London, after he took it over in 2009.

Mellor Brook resident John Greaves said: “If the pub was lost to the community it would be a real shame.

“The former tenants tried their best and did all they could but it just did not take off. Pubs are having a hard time at the moment and this pub has been suffering with the same problems as others.

“I hope that the new owners whoever they will be make a go of it and it is a success.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who leads the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said: “I’m increasingly concerned about this trend of pubs being shut down in the Ribble Valley.

“The trend is slowing but pubs are still being closed down.

“I would fully support any campaign to reopen The Windmill pub and I will contact Enterprise Inns about it.

“We must make sure that the vibrancy of these community hubs are not lost for future generations.”

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: ”As part of our on-going business, we do from time to time identify a pub that may no longer have a long-term future in our estate.

“After careful consideration, the decision has made to sell the freehold of the Windmill and the pub is currently being openly marketed with no future restrictions on use.

“Anyone interested in this opportunity to purchase the pub should contact Fawley, Watson, Booth on 0113 234 7900.”