A brewery which has its headquarters on the outskirts of Bristol has allayed fears that one of its most popular pubs is closing.
Rumours began circulating last week that The Bell, run by Wrington-based Butcombe Brewery, had pulled its final pint as it still has not reopened in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fans of the boozer, located in Hillgrove Street just off Stokes Croft, posted messages in a number of Facebook groups speculating that it had closed and could be turned into flats.
In a group titled 'The Bell, Stokes Croft' one person wrote: "It's quite possible to have flats there and go higher maybe 4 floors, sadly I think the days of the smaller boozer are done.
"Sad to see, but odds are this will be the fate for many small inner city pubs."
People expressed shock and sadness at the growing speculation - but Butcombe has confirmed the pub will be reopening when it is safe to do so.
A spokesperson for the brewery told Bristol Live: "The rumours are untrue. We'll be reopening The Bell as soon as social distancing regulations allow."
The spokesperson added the reopening is "dependent on having an environment that is safe for our customers and team".
The reason The Bell has not reopened yet, they said, is because it is wet-led, which means it only sells booze and does not have a food menu.
This would make it difficult to reopen the pub as people would not be allowed to congregate and order at the bar under current Covid-19 restrictions.
When restrictions are eased further and customers are allowed to do this, the brewery will look to reopen the pub.
The Bell's long-serving landlady, Marion Cross, told Bristol Live she had nothing to add to what Butcombe had said.
Butcombe's other Bristol pubs, including The Ostrich and The Cottage, have reopened as table service venues for both dining and drinking.
