The Dog's landlord-in-waiting Tony Walters is locked in negotiations with owner Enterprise Inns, with ongoing discussions continuing to delay the pub's reopening as the new home for the Victoria's India restaurant.
Another pub ,The Weaver's Arms, has recently closed, with no comment available from landlord John Waters.
But closure rumours linked to another town centre pub have been dismissed. Barbara Briggs of the White Bull, on Higher Road, has strongly denied the pub is about the shut its doors.
Meanwhile, another Longridge pub landlady, Irene Nuttall, of the Durham Ox, has written to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in despair over the present situation.
The melee was the talk of the town this week, during which the national pub trade has voiced fears for many hostelries.
Tony Walters, of Victoria's India restaurant, who wants to take over the running of The Dog, claimed Enterprise Inns had "moved the goalposts" on leasing arrangements and promises to provide fixtures and fittings and he was at his "wits end to know what to do next."
"I was expecting a firm decision today," said Mr Walters, who is running the Victoria as usual. "But I have heard nothing. We have already done a lot of work inside the pub. Outside, we've cleared trees and undergrowth at the back, revealing the terraces, rose garden and the magnificent views.
"We just can't hold on very much longer and could lose everything. If we don't open towards the end of this month or beginning of October, our trade, particularly for Christmas, would be seriously affected."
The brewery, Scottish and Newcastle, however, is given nothing but praise by Barbara Briggs, who has a full programme of events up to and after Christmas.
"I was devastated by the rumours that I was closing," she told The News. "Because of them, no-one came up even to see if it was true.
"It certainly is not. I've an Indian night, film night, Hallowe'en night, I'm starting bingo on Mondays, and there's a disco, karaoke, football plus food at weekends," she stressed. "Scottish and Newcastle's aim is to help all their people to
keep going.
"With the smoking ban and this economic climate it's really tough, but Scottish is so supportive. People should be too – support your pub or lose your pub."
In her letter to the Prime Minister Irene Nuttall of the Durham Ox urges Mr Brown to stop supermarkets undercutting pubs.
She told him: "Large supermarkets are killing off trade in small towns and villages. They are running riot and no-one seems to care about small businesses who are hitting the wall at an incredible rate."
She also highlighted increased business rates and beer and spirit taxes as major contributors to the problems the industry faces.
Her concerns mirror those of the British Institute of Innkeeping which has recently voiced concern that members' overall income was down by almost 10%.
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