The centuries-old Market Drayton pub that was bought from a chain and supports its community
As pubs battle the cost of living crisis, the Shropshire Star continues its Love Your Local series which celebrates our local inns.
The Crown is a popular pub in Market Drayton, with a history dating back centuries.
The venue is said to have survived a major fire in the town in 1651, and King Charles I is reputed to have stayed there during the Civil War in the previous decade.
Today, The Crown, on Market Street, is a Grade II listed building, having receiving its Listed status in May 1952.
It is owned and run by Mark Sawyer, who is originally from London and will mark his fourth year of ownership in November.
Mark, 59, originally signed a short-term lease with then-owners Marston's in January 2019 as a tenant, but after running the establishment, he and his partner purchased The Crown. He then bought out his partner and is now the sole owner.
Mark said: "This is my first time actually owning a pub, but I've always been around the trade.
"I have always sold things, whether that was in markets, shows, I've even done cab driving, and I once had a 20-year lease on a pub, and so, I'd like to think that I'm good at it - but that's for the locals to decide.
"Taking ownership of the pub in November 2019 was a good time and a bad time, as the Covid pandemic hit a few months later.
