20/10/2024
Just a reminder folks, today is out last day here at the Ilchester Arms! Our kitchen is now closed, but the bar is open today 12-5 for farewell drinks, we’d love you to pop in and say goodbye!
** THANK YOU AND FAREWELL **
They say all good things come to an end, and it is with mixed emotions that we announce the end of our tenancy here at the Ilchester Arms.
We have had an incredible three and a half years here in this gorgeous pub in this beautiful village. This has really not been an easy decision, and we will miss so many things about it!
Hospitality is an increasingly difficult trade to be in at the moment, and we salute those who continue to persevere with it. Alongside the obvious challenges of the brewery tied business model and the ever escalating overheads, we have been in a very fortunate position to weather so many storms, from covid restrictions to staffing crisis, to energy and food price hikes to flooding and collapsing roofs, and we are so incredibly proud of our little team who have helped to get us through all of these battles. However, we have only been able to keep this wonderful thriving little business profitable by putting in some seriously crazy hours ourselves as landlord and landlady, and quite honestly, we are knackered! There is a limit to the amount of time anyone can work 80+ hours a week for, and we feel we have reached it. Missing out on family occasions, friends weddings etc takes its toll, and we have reached a point where we cannot continue to dedicate the hours we have been putting in any more. Why not get some more staff you might say? The truth of the matter is that if we were to have any more staff than we do, the business would no longer be profitable, its sadly that fine a line, and to that end we have reached this difficult decision.
We would like to thank each and every one of our customers over the years, your support has been incredible and we have met so many wonderful people (and dogs!). We have worked tirelessly to continually improve the pub whilst retaining its beautiful character and are so proud of what we have achieved. We have had some incredible highlights that will form everlasting memories, from quizzes to parties to some of the very best live music and we feel truly privileged to have had these opportunities.
A HUGE THANK YOU, from Kirstin, Mark, Bo and all the team at the Ilchester Arms, Symondsbury!
A few ‘lasts’ will follow over the next few weeks, and we hope as many of you will join us as you can to make those last few weeks extra special!
THE FINAL PUB QUIZ: Thursday 10th October @ 8pm / Free Entry / Call to book
THE LAST WEEK OF FOOD SERVICE: 10th – 13th October
THE LAST WEEK OF THE BAR: 17TH – 20TH October
THE FINAL LIVE MUSIC SHOW IN THE BARN: Thursday 17th October / Amanda Rheaume / Tickets:
https://www.ilchesterarmssymondsbury.co.uk/event-details/amanda-rheaume
