16 hours ago
'Save The Bugle', Community help asked to save pub faced with £55k hole
A pub is seeking help from the community as it faces the possibility of closure after a huge financial hole was found.
The Bugle Hotel, located in Titchfield, has fallen into financial trouble.
Current landlady, Naomi Matthews, who took over in November last year, says that last month she discovered financial difficulties to the tune of £55,000 after her fellow landlady "left the business".
Following the discovery, Ms Matthews worked to keep the hotel running smoothly, and has decided alongside her team to fight to try and save the business.
Ms Matthews said: "I never expected in a million years this would happen."
The Bugle Hotel (Image: Google Maps)
Ms Matthews said she offered staff the opportunity to leave with "no hard feelings", but the staff wanted to keep their jobs and try to "make it work".
She added: "Because they said they wanted to make it work, I felt I had a duty to help.
"Everyone has been really supportive, and the staff have worked really hard.
"Everyone is determined to make a run of it.
"It is nice that the village and people are coming together to do this; if it wasn't for the support we have had, I wouldn't be doing it."
Naomi became a landlady in November last year, having been a regular at the pub.
Staff member and media spokesperson, Chloe Dale, said: "We need to ask for help.
"We would like to invite the whole community to join us for a 'Save the Bugle' fundraising weekend.
"We hope for this to be a really nice, busy community event."
The pub has announced the details of its fundraising events, which will take place across the weekend of August 23 and 24.
On Saturday, August 23, the pub will host 'Save The Bugle Day'. It will feature a bake sale, raffle and more.
On Sunday, August 24, there will be an open-to-all dart tournament.
Ms Dale added: "If you help us save the Bugle, it's our number one goal to preserve and enhance all of these qualities, and now being run by a landlady who loves this village, I think we might just do it."
