20/05/2026
The Future:
Many of you know my health has played a massive part in what I am and am not able to do and even without all the additional pressures our industry is being put through, let alone staffing.
In January, I took the massive decision to buy the freehold of the pub with a very distinct plan to get a manager in and return to the ten year plan I had when I took the initial lease, much of which was derailed by Covid and of course what all in the village had to cope with which was EWR and the bridge closure.
Shortly after taking on the freehold (which at the time I was legally required ro keep quiet) I had a further health diagnosis which has thrown those plans right out of the window with the first of a series of operations taking place in March.
In June, I have the next one and however many will follow will pretty much be decided by then. With this is mind and the commitment I made in the sale to ensure the pub will remain for the next 20 years, I have decided I can no longer be the person to commit to that.
Heartbreaking as that is to me to not be able to complete what I set out to do, it's right for the pub and the village.
I have therefore instructed a company to market the pub for both freehold and leasehold sale, but in the first instance will ensure that offers from the community itself will be given first refusal.
Part of that sale will ensure the overage deed remains (ie stay as a pub) although I am required by law to be open to all offers as the sale is a limited company and as Director I must consider the best interests of the shareholder. Priority consideration will be given to any community offer should one come about.
In the meantime, I will of course update hours as we go and I will work around lack of staffing and health issues as we go, though I need to be clear my health will always come first and if the pub is closed then it's closed.
I trust people will understand why I have taken this decision so soon after buying the freehold, but if you don't and choose to gossip, that is on you not me.
Kyle x
