Historic pub owners take on US immigration
April 28 2009 by Gareth McConnell
Two British men who invested their life savings in renovating an historic 230-year old pub in New Hampshire have been refused a US visa to return to their home on the east coast for the second time in two years.
Andrew Cook and Nick Finnis bought Brichwood Inn in Temple several years ago, re-investing their earnings in the 1775 listed building and successfully turning it into a popular pub for locals and tourists but as the couples bank accounts do not show enough money, the US embassy in London has revoked their US work visas.
When Cook visited his parents in England two years ago, US immigration officials refused to grant the USA visa for the first time. On that occasion the couple had support of the townspeople and a Senator who successfully overturned the decision allowing both men back into the country.
"We decided not to take an income and put it all back in, I’m scared of going back to England," Finnis said at the time.
The business is currently being run by another partner who hopes members of the state’s congressional delegation will intervene and get them their visa for America again.
"They're just the kind of people we really like," said Priscilla Weston of the local Chamber of Commerce.
"We want to keep them," said another, "they're the greatest people. We love them so much."
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