30/12/2023
The most heartbreaking post I’ll ever make….
Folks, I don’t even know where to start, so I’ll start with the obvious. I’m broken. I’ve had enough. For nearly three years I’ve tried to provide a non discriminatory safe hub for all. One that doesn’t condone drugs or lewd behaviour, an environment where you can off load, cry, be yourselves… and it’s destroyed me. I’ve tried my hardest to fit in, I’ve made friends I’ve had to bar, I’ve made frenemies I say hi to when walking the high street with my kids, and I’ve made enemies I wouldn’t even acknowledge as people; those who have come in and attacked me, punched or verbally - attacked my punters, my friends. People that choose booze and evilness over serenity and community spirit. I’ve put EVERYTHING into the pub, and what do I have to show? £50k in debt and a broken soul.
For some part I’ve loved it, I’ve loved the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made and will still love forever more. I’ve lived a life I thought was a dream, but actually was a nightmare. I’ve lost so much, a marriage, my sanity, being diagnosed Bipolar after a horrendous mental breakdown, friends/punters who have died, losing people I thought were my friends and were there for me, but were actually there for the booze. But equally I’ve gained prospect, a new relationship, I understand now that nightmares can be mistaken as dreams because it’s something you’ve grown accustomed to. It’s all you know. Even nightmares are comforting if it’s all you know.
I’ve been rinsed from everything I am, and I now need to walk away. The business is no longer sustainable. It’s true what they say, if you don’t shop where you love, it’ll die. And I no longer have it in me to save The Pub. It’s such a beauty of a place for the right person, but I don’t have the energy of money to expand or fix it. Supermarkets kill independent businesses and ‘spoons kills independent pubs - it’s the story across the country but I gave it a real go, I tried my absolute hardest to bring you something different.
This is it peeps. With a very heavy heart I announce that as of May 27th - the 3rd year anniversary, I’ll be closing the pub. If not before. So enjoy it while it’s there. I love you immensely, thank you to those who have stuck by me and supported me through all the hard times, I will miss you, and The Pub for the rest of my life.
But this is goodbye. Kx