‘Huge sadness’ as pub chain abruptly closes ALL locations due to spiralling costs

A STRING of local pubs are set to shutter their doors after spiralling costs made business impossible.

West Cornwall Inns will cease operations on Sunday, and has urged those in power to “act now” to prevent further pub closures in the UK.

The Queen‘s Arms at Breage, Henlys in Helston, the Fire Engine at Marazion, and The Coldstreamer at Gulval will all close their doors for good this weekend.

West Cornwall Inn’s Matt Ferguson said on Facebook: “We are devastated that the last six years have ended in this way.”

Cost of electricity, food and drink have made operating their pubs no longer feasible, they said.

In a statement, the company added: “We are not in a position to trade into winter and it would be irresponsible to attempt it.

“The sad thing is we had a busy summer and we’d like to thank each and every person who came to support us.

“Hospitality has gone very wrong and we would urge those in positions of power to change that to act now, as we join a growing list of casualties.”

A government spokesperson said: “We recognise that pubs are key drivers of local economies but no national government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy and other business costs.”

The West Cornwall Inn’s closure comes as the overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 39,404 at the end of June.

That’s down slightly from 39,634 at the end of the first quarter – the three months to March 31.

The 383 which have closed their doors were either demolished or converted for other uses, including as homes, offices, or nurseries.

It’s a sharp increase from last year, with only 386 pubs vanishing throughout the whole of 2022.

Pub giant Wetherspoon has already closed dozens of boozers across the UK, including in Hove, Derby and London.

The chain, like many others, has been hit hard by rising costs brought on by high inflation.

It was revealed earlier this year that pub and bar chain Stonegate, behind brands like Slug and Lettuce and Be At One, is looking to sell off pubs to pay down its debt pile.

Marston’s Brewery put 61 pubs up for sale earlier this year following a review of its estate.