26/01/2026
Dear Valued Customers and Friends,
I took over this pub in July 2025—only six months ago, though it feels like a lifetime. In that short time, I have poured my heart and soul into making this work, and you have all made it an experience I will treasure forever.
It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I must now announce the closure of The Corner Cupboard Inn.
This decision has not been made lightly. I want you to know that we have fought with everything we have to keep these doors open. We have explored every avenue, cut costs wherever possible, and worked tirelessly to make this business viable. Despite our very best efforts, the financial realities we face have become insurmountable.
The truth is stark: we are making no money. Our operating costs have risen dramatically, and the recent government budget has placed additional burdens on hospitality businesses that we simply cannot absorb. The increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, combined with rising energy costs and the ongoing pressures on small businesses, have created an environment where survival is no longer possible.
Please do not think I am giving up. If I were, I would have walked away months ago when things started going downhill. Instead, I have carried on until we simply cannot go any further. I have drained every last ounce of my own money to keep this place going. We have reached the point where continuing would mean pouring money into a venture that grows more unsustainable by the day.
I understand that many of you will feel disappointed by this news. I share that disappointment deeply. Please know that I have given this everything I possibly could—every ounce of effort, every resource available to me. I ask only that you understand I have tried my very best, and that this closure reflects circumstances beyond my control, not a lack of commitment or care.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for The Corner Cupboard Inn itself. Whilst the pub did not work as a business, it is unquestionably a valuable community asset. This place has served as a gathering point, a social hub, and a cornerstone of local life. The only way I believe this pub can survive and ensure its legacy carries on is as a community-owned pub, run by a committee as a not-for-profit venture. If any members of the community wish to explore this option, please contact me. I would be more than happy to help you make it happen and support the transition in any way I can. The building, the atmosphere, the traditions—all of this could continue if the community rallies together. Unfortunately, for me as a business owner, my time is up—but the pub’s story doesn’t have to end here.
This pub has been so much more than a business to me. Every regular who walked through that door, every conversation at the bar, every celebration we’ve hosted—these moments have defined my time here. You, our wonderful locals, have made this experience truly special, and the thought of saying goodbye breaks my heart. Your loyalty, your warmth, and your support have meant everything to me.
I believe, sadly, that we are witnessing the end of an era. The traditional British pub, once the cornerstone of community life, is facing challenges that many simply cannot overcome. I wish the circumstances were different, but I must accept that this chapter has come to an end.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve you, for your patience during difficult times, and for making The Corner Cupboard Inn part of your lives. I have truly loved every moment, even if it has been brief.
****Operational Plan Moving Forward****
Food Service
We will cease all food trade immediately to reduce operating costs.
Bar Service
I will personally continue running the bar until we have sold off all remaining stock. This will allow me to say proper goodbyes and ensure you can continue to enjoy The Corner Cupboard Inn for a little while longer. Though that’ll likely last us only until this weekend coming..
