08-08-2025
Fury as 400-year-old UK pub shuts forever after needing £2,000 a day to survive in ‘perfect storm'
A HISTORIC UK pub has shut for good after needing £2,000 a day just to survive leaving locals furious.
The centuries old village pub in North Devon has closed its doors for the final time as the owners blame rising costs and a lack of support.
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The Bell Inn in Monkleigh has served the local community for more than 400 years.
It shut up shop on Monday, July 29, after the current leaseholder announced the closure on Facebook.
They described the decision as one they "never wanted to make".
In an emotional farewell, they wrote: "How do you say goodbye to a place that's been at the heart of the village for four centuries?
"Today will be our final day of trading at The Bell Inn.
"A perfect storm of soaring rent, rising insurance and alcohol costs, plus essential structural repairs leaves us with no suitable option.'
Bosses claimed they needed to take £1,500-£2,000 a day just to break even.
But with falling footfall and the rising cost of essentials, keeping the pub open wasn't realistic.
Roy and Sally Goodger, the pub's owners, say they were blindsided by the closure having leased the business to a new tenant earlier this year with hopes of a revival.
Speaking from a family visit in Scotland, Roy told DevonLive: "We had a call from the wife's brother-in-law to say they saw a post from The Bell Inn, and if we knew anything about it – and we didn't.'
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He added that the financial situation at the pub had become increasingly difficult, even before they left the day-to-day running of the business last year.
The insurance, which was once £3,000 annually, had jumped to £10,500 while energy bills and wholesale costs also surged.
Roy said it wasn't just The Bell who has struggled either as pubs across the country "are losing a fortune".
'When we took over in 2019, the price of a pint of local ale was £3.50. If the pub increased prices in-line with costs, a pint would be £10 now, which of course is completely unrealistic," he said.
The couple originally took on The Bell after Roy's building career was cut short by injury.
They had to take on nearly all the work on themselves just to keep it going with Sally saying they "didn't take a wage" once from the pub.
Roy would cook and Sally would run front-of-house with minimal part-time help.
Sally now helps run another pub in Ipswich but they said they had no regrets running The Bell but acknowledged the reality facing the sector.
It's another blow to rural communities in Devon as locals from nearby villages whose own pubs have already shut often made the trip to The Bell.
The future of the Grade-II listed pub is now uncertain but Roy said a reopening was "unlikely" unless costs come down.
As for what needs to change, both Roy and Sally point toward a lack of government support with Sally suggesting an adjustment to VAT like in other countries.
"They do it in France and Germany to help hospitality during difficult time - but it's fallen on deaf ears for a long time.'
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
