The owner of The Woolpack, a historic pub in Slad, has spoken out about frustration over a five-day road closure through the village, warning it could have a serious impact on trade during half-term week.
The closure, which began today, Monday, comes after a car accident more than nine months ago damaged a small section of wall just a few hundred yards from the pub. Despite the delay, Gloucestershire Highways has deemed the repairs “urgent” and will close the road 24 hours a day
Pub owner Dan Chadwick, who also owns celebrated Stroud restaurant Juliet, told Stroud Times that the timing is particularly inconvenient: “I have high admiration for the people who maintain our roads — it must be a very difficult job. I wouldn’t want to be in charge of that,” the owner said. “But in this case, and it’s not the first time, the road has been unnecessarily closed in both directions. That’s very puzzling. It’s puzzling to me, it’s puzzling to our customers, and it’s puzzling to everyone who lives in Slad or anyone trying to go from Stroud to Birdlip in any kind of sensible way.
“So the big question is: why on earth are they closing it in both directions? Now, and for five days, and why does it fall on half term?” the owner continued. “Half term is a busy time for a business like this that relies on a lot of staff. We have to run a huge staff budget, and that means employing people whether we’re busy or not. If no one can get to the pub, we’re going to lose money.”
The historic Slad pub, once frequented by celebrated poet and novelist Laurie Lee, is considered a major tourist attraction in the Cotswolds and contributes significantly to the local economy. “We pay taxes — our VAT bill probably pays for five ambulances a year,” Mr. Chadwick said. “We’re really good people, yet we’re treated as if we’re some kind of lepers. It feels like there’s a cabal somewhere trying to destroy this business.”
The pub has experienced similar closures before. “Last time the road was closed in both directions for a month. People waited an hour for friends to arrive, which is impossible when you cook fresh food. We could measure the financial impact — it was significant,” Mr Chadwick added.
Despite repeated conversations with Gloucestershire Highways, the owner remains frustrated at the timing and approach. “I’ve been reminding them about dangerous spots on the pavement for 15 years. They put up safety barriers two years ago, but now the trees have grown over them again. It’s hard to understand why these decisions are made the way they are.”
Despite the disruption, the pub remains open. Visitors can still reach it via Sheepscombe (Wick Street), Painswick (Tibbiwell Lane), or Camp/Birdlip — though the detour offers a scenic tour of the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
The pub is a popular destination for both locals and celebrities, with the likes of Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and former England and Arsenal star Theo Walcott spotted enjoying the ambience.
Cllr Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for Sustainable Transport & Strategic Highways, said: “The B4070 Slad Road is currently closed for essential wall repairs following a road traffic collision earlier this year. While I understand the inconvenience this may cause, a full road closure is necessary due to limited space and to ensure the safety of our workforce.
“We’ve timed the works during half-term, when traffic is normally lighter, to help minimise disruption. Repairs are expected to finish by the end of this week. Please follow the signed diversion and thank you for your patience and understanding.”
