Cornish pub owner fears having to sell-up if lockdown lasts past summer
The Manor House at Rilla Mill near Callington has taken part in a survey to look at the impact on businesses
Last updated 16th Feb 2021
A Cornish pub has revealed takings have taken a MASSIVE hit since the start of the pandemic.
The Manor House at Rilla Milla near Callington has been involved in a lockdown survey.
Only a third of those who took part said they could last staying shut till the summer.
'Anything after June and I think there'd be a for-sale sign outside'
Joss Beechim-Horton is the owner and head chef at The Manor House.
Whilst their takeaway service has been a lifeline during lockdown, Joss is among the pubs that want the rule about alcohol with a substantial meal to be scrapped when restrictions lift.
"A lot of our drinkers will come in after work. A lot of them are tradesmen and farmers, people like that. Especially the young farming community - they don't really want to come in and have a full meal, they'd like to come in and have a drink with their friends of colleagues.
"It's difficult at the moment because our takings are down but the bills still come out.
"We've not got the staff bill to pay, as such, but we do have to pay all of our VAT which has just been due in January and obviously things like our electric bills and things like that which are quite high.
"And of course maintenance. A lot of pubs are old buildings and require constant upkeep. Ours does definitely. It's a 16th century manor house so you can imagine it's always developing leaks and cracks and things that need sorting.
"Things like the takeaways have been great and we've been really well-supported by the local community but obviously takings have taken a massive hit.
"We're taking considerable less than we would do normally. It's hard to know where we're going to be. It's all quite uncertain as well as quite demoralising. We work really hard and could potentially lose it all for something that's not really our own fault.
"The money will run out at some point. Grants only go so far. We might last until June but I think anything after that and there'll be a for-sale sign outside".
Joss Beechim-Horton, The Manor House
What does the lockdown survey reveal?
The Countryside Alliance , a national rural campaigning organisation, has revealed the results from its recent rural pubs survey, as lockdown continues to bite.
The key findings include:
- 92% of landlords who responded want to scrap the requirement for customers to purchase a 'substantial meal'.
- Only 34% of those responding report they can last out being shut until Summer.
- Inability to sell alcohol as part of takeaways is having a negative impact on those pubs left open.
- Landlords split over reintroduction of 'Eat out to Help out' scheme.
- Some 80 landlords and pub owners from across the country took part in the survey, which was shared through the Alliance's rural business network.
70% of respondents think they will be able to survive if restrictions are lifted by April, when it is hoped that the vaccine should have been given to people in the most vulnerable groups.
However, when asked about being required to remain closed until June, the number drops to 37%.
When asked for what more could be done to aid their business, the top request mentioned was for business rates and VAT on beer to be scrapped or significantly reduced.
One respondent said: "We need positive help, vat to stay at 5% for at least 2 years, rates to be cut by 50 % for the same length of time".
Another warned: "This is causing severe mental health/isolation issues in rural areas".
Pub landlord Will McClelland, of the Kings Arms in Paul, Cornwall, was one of the respondents who took part in the nationwide survey.
As it stands, it is unlikely his business will survive if required to shut until June without substantial financial support from the government.
Mr McClelland revealed that the pub had already spent large sums installing virus preventative equipment to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep staff and customers safe.
Prior to the most recent national lockdown, the Kings Arms had seen a drop in customer footfall and suggested the requirement to provide a 'substantial meal' was a contributing factor.
As a result, Mr. McClelland is supporting the Alliance's call for the requirement to be scrapped, when pubs re-open again.
Elsewhere across the country, 92 % want to scrap the rule that customers must order a substantial meal to be allowed to buy a drink when pubs reopen. Respondents indicated that this requirement had an overall adverse effect on customer footfall.
Despite many pubs trying out different menu items, it was felt that their efforts had been in vain. The impact was underlined with 57% reporting that regulars stopped coming to their pubs when the rule was in place and 82% saw a reduction in overall footfall.
Landlords also revealed that the bulk had spent staggering sums- between £1,000-5,000- on installing features designed to comply with and aid COVID-19 safety guidance: including outdoor heaters, hand sanitising stations and personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff.
Some 80% of pub owners support allowing their premises, which in most cases are currently unused, to be used in the vaccine rollout including the Kings Arms and Manor House Inn.
What does the Countryside Alliance want to see to support pubs?
Considering the views expressed by rural publicans, the Countryside Alliance is calling on the government to:
- Offer a practical road map for pubs and the hospitality industry at large to help them realistically prepare for when they can resume trading again;
- Allow those pubs that are continuing to operate safely as a takeaway service, to sell alcohol. The current set up is unfair, as supermarkets continue to sell alcohol;
- When pubs do reopen again, the requirement for patrons to purchase a substantial meal should be scrapped. It is unclear how this helps stop the spread of Covid and it is having and adverse impact on pubs at an already difficult enough time; and
- If forced to remain closed into the Summer months, provide these struggling businesses with increased financial support. We cannot see them fall by the wayside.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher of the Countryside Alliance said: "Rightly much of the government's focus is on rolling out vaccinations across the country. It is only through doing this that we can seriously pave the way for returning to normality. Understandably, the underlying anxieties and hurt caused by Covid-19 across the pub industry remain very much alive. Pubs are at the forefront of their communities up and down the countryside and their loss would be both catastrophic and irreversible.
"When the government address the matter of easing lockdown, pubs need a clear roadmap and sufficient, practical advance warning. Rules such as having to purchase substantial meals for example, need to be scrapped as this appears to be having an adverse effect on customer flow, something many pubs just can't afford. Financial security in the event of prolonged periods of closure is also key to their survival".
Last week, the London Borough of Bromley announced that it had ringfenced £1million to help independent pubs, including sports and social clubs.
The Council announced it recognised that these local businesses have been amongst the most severely impacted and have had access to limited support.
Grants range from £3000 for the smallest premises, up to £10,500 for larger premises. Details for those wishing to apply can do so here.
Mr Metcalf-Fisher added: "The move by Bromley Council is one that should be welcomed and ideally replicated by local authorities up and down the country. When this lockdown ends, these vital facilities which mean so much to so many, need to still be standing".
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, The Countryside Alliance