07/06/2023
We wanted to let you know that we have decided to call it a day.
Our circumstances have changed quite significantly since the idea for The Jolly Pug was borne 2 years ago…
Will’s side hustle for many years ( ) took off spectacularly last summer, providing staff for events and hospitality venues across the Midlands and beyond, and this means Will is no longer able to run the bar, as we had anticipated.
Tash, who has been involved behind the scenes, is a busy mum to a 2-year-old and has a successful career, working full-time and travelling to London every week.
The economic landscape has changed and people aren’t spending like they were, our costs have risen dramatically (38% since we opened 😵💫) and we are now paying others to run the bar.
We just don’t have the time and energy that a place like this needs - and without that, we can’t make it what we want it to be.
In the end, for our sanity, and the success of our other endeavours, we’ve decided that it’s time to close the doors. (If you’re reading and want to buy a great little bar in Sherwood, talk to us!)
We are so happy for the journey we’ve been on over the last 2 years, have learnt a ton and have met some amazing people along the way. Thank you to all of the incredible customers, suppliers, musicians and pop-ups that have supported us.
Most importantly, thanks to our incredible team. To Dom and Johan in the early days, to Parish and Adam who have been running the show for the last 12 months, to all the others that work with us on weekends and in the kitchen, THANK YOU.
For us, telling our staff has been the hardest bit of all but all of the team have the opportunity to work with Will’s other business over the summer, whilst they look for new opportunities.
We will be throwing open our doors the rest of this week for drinks only until Saturday - come by and drink us dry! We will have live music on Friday from 9pm as usual!
It’s been real, Sherwood.
Over and out, Team JP X