AN ICONIC century-old pub has announced a shock closure after owners reveal the business is “unsustainable.”
The memorable menu made the venue a stand-out choice for gluten-free customers, but they'll now have to search elsewhere to eat.
The Angel at Holmesfield in disappointed diners when it announced it was shutting on Sunday.
With a completely gluten-free menu, the well-known boozer made a name for itself with its niche menu and high-quality pub grub.
On , the venue simply wrote: “The Angel is now currently closed for , see Stonegate for further details.”
While it appeared that the company was being elusive with why they had closed, one of the owners, Clair, took to the comment section to explain the reason behind the decision.
She wrote: “Hospitality businesses are failing all around you. The sector has never been so bad as it is at the moment.
“You will all understand that the cost of food is increasing as you experience it weekly with your shopping.
“It is astonishing that people cannot comprehend that those costs need to be passed on to customers. There is no room in margins to absorb these increases.”
Claire explained that the little village pub's gluten-free menu was a huge hit and gave them a unique selling point.
However, with the spike in costs of running a company in the hospitality sector, she described the as “untenable.”
She continued: “For us, being 100 per cent GF was successful. It set us apart from so many other and , built on what was already a very well-respected, allergy-friendly food operator.
“However, the continual increases in costs made the business untenable.
“There has been a quote of us owing £200k. Indeed, the business was sadly voluntarily liquidated, however, I personally, lost the majority of this.”
She said there was a range of issues that led to the downfall of the business.
These included a refurbishment that went over budget, heating and boiler issues, and dry rot.
“Equipment didn’t work, even the chefs pans’ had no handles,” she added.
“It was a mess.
“Prices inevitably went up because inherited costings were wrong. Food and drinks prices were continually increasing, as were rent, utilities, wages, everything, and at an alarming rate.”
The crestfallen pub owner said despite owners having “little hope” she was offered good advice and support.
She concluded: “Sadly, it is the way at the moment in hospitality, unless you are a free house or a big chain you have little hope.
“The pubco’s screw you. Luckily, and with some good advice and support, we did not lose our , just our , but that’s now also on the mend.
“We left the business because it was just too hard. Working for literally nothing.”
Gutted customers flocked to the comments to offer their sympathy and share their disappointment.
One diner left a heartfelt message under the post: “Hey lovely lady, we loved coming to the Angel when you were there, as did my lovely mum and family, you had such a personal touch, and you cared about your customers.
“We hope you are well and doing ok.”
Another gluten-intolerant customer shared their dismay: “So so gutted as we enjoyed coming here as I'm GF and felt normal eating here and not having to ask for a menu or anything that's special just ordering from a menu.
“Gutted it's closed.”
A third commented: “We came a few times with clients it was amazing food delicious.
“We always try to support where we can keep up the good work it's so difficult today – good luck.”
WHY ARE PUBS CLOSING?
The hospitality industry is facing mounting pressures, including soaring bills, rising costs, and squeezed budgets.
More closures could be on the horizon due to upcoming hikes in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage.
Manybusinesses have faced significant challenges recently, as the risinghas led to a decline in dining out.
After struggling to recover from the impact of the , many establishments were then hit with soaring and mounting inflationary pressures.
This has forced several well-known chains to shut locations, with big brands likeamong those affected.
