A BELOVED pub has announced its shock closure after 16 years.
Devastated punters dubbed the news “heartbreaking”, but understand “health comes first”.
The Plough, in Staining – a village in Blackpool, is closing for good on Sunday, March 9.
Publican Sean, revealed on Facebook a combination of “poor health”, the “cost of living crisis”, and “utilities doubling” in price were all to blame for the closure.
They added: “It’s left me with no choice but to close.”
Despite not having a new owner yet, the publican doubts it’ll take long to find one.
Then they thanked their “loyal customers.”
Sean said: “After 16 years at The Plough, on Sunday 9th I will be closing the doors for the last time!
“It’s not been an easy decision to make but with utilities doubling in price, the cost of living crisis and poor health, it’s left me no choice but to close.
“At present the brewery has no one to take the pub on but I’m sure it won’t be long.
“I would like to thank all my loyal customers and staff for there support over the years!
“Regards, Sean.”
Dozens of disappointed pub goers flocked to the comment section.
One person said: “Sad news Sean, it’s definitely difficult out there at the moment, Health comes first as always.
“Will try and call in before you depart, well done Sean.”
Followed by a second: “Sorry to hear this Sean, one of my dad’s favourite places and a lot of memories for me. Take care.”
Another person spoke of how The Plough was a lifeline for their mum.
They said: “Sorry to hear this, Sean.
“Mum’ll be toasting you on Sunday I am sure.
“She loved the place, it was like a lifeline for her so I have to thank you for everything you did for her and the pub did for her in general.”
Followed by a third person: “Sad to hear this, Sean.
“Thanks to you and Pedro, for all you did to encourage the music on a Tuesday night.
“Sadly Pete and I never managed to come back after Covid, but I have many happy memories of our times spent there.
“Wishing you all the best for the future.”
Then a fifth person said: “So sad, so many happy memories.
“You and Pedro always made us feel so welcome.
“Must have been a hard decision Sean but I’m sure it’s the right one for you.
“If it does get taken over it won’t be the same.
“It’s a sad end to an era for the village, thanks for your hospitality over the years.
“Pete and I and the rest of our family will miss your buffets!!
“Good luck to you and all your staff wishing you all good things for the future.”
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
