VILLAGERS on the Blackdown Hills above Wellington have been left shocked by the sudden closure of their only public house just nine months after new owners took over.

The award-winning Candlelight Inn, in Bishopswood, was taken on by Army veteran couple Gareth and Miranda George last August.

The 18th century Candlelight was marketed for nearly £1 million by Mike and Simon Rose-MacLeod, who had owned it for eight years during which they were Taste of the West Gold award winners for five years in a row and saw The Guardian newspaper name it as a ‘top 10’ Somerset pub.

Only in January this year, Mr and Mrs George launched a new menu with ‘bold, vibrant flavours of Cape-Malay cuisine and the Rainbow Nation’ after bringing in head chef Sidwell Yarrow from South Africa.

Bishopswood villagers were shocked by the sudden closure of the Candlelight Inn. PHOTO: Fleuret.
Bishopswood villagers were shocked by the sudden closure of the Candlelight Inn. PHOTO: Fleurets. ( )

Mr and Mrs George were both in the Armed Forces serving with the Fleet Air Arm in RNAS Yeovilton and with 3 Commando Brigade in Afghanistan.

But they said keeping the Candlelight Inn afloat proved to be a ‘battle we could not win’.

The couple said in a statement: “This was not the plan.

“Despite our best efforts, a perfect storm of pressures made trading unsustainable.

“The Government slashed business rates relief for hospitality from 75 per cent to just 40 per cent in 2025, hitting us with thousands in unexpected costs.

“At the same time, the National Minimum Wage rose sharply, up over 20 per cent in two years, while employer National Insurance contributions added further strain to already tight margins.

“Add to that the long-term and poorly managed A303 closures cutting off our customer base, and we were left fighting a battle we could not win.”

The 18th century Candlelight Inn, Bishopswood, was only sold last August. PHOTO: Fleurets.
The 18th century Candlelight Inn, Bishopswood, was only sold last August. PHOTO: Fleurets. ( )

They said the ‘permanent’ closure of the pub was a decision made ‘with great sadness’ after they had ‘poured in everything, heart, soul, and savings, to breathe new life into a beloved rural pub’.

The couple told customers: “What we did not foresee was a perfect storm of external pressures that would make survival virtually impossible.

“We are incredibly proud of what we created here, an inclusive, heritage-inspired dining experience with a fiercely loyal following.

“Your support meant the world to us.

“You came, you ate, you celebrated, you made memories.

“And for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Mr and Mrs George had planned to start hosting occasions at the Candlelight throughout this year, including a Harry Potter event in October and a black tie Remembrance mess dinner for veterans, which they said would be ‘very special’ to them both.

They said: “We understand how difficult it is for Service personnel to transition out of the Services and so we support the Armed Forces Covenant, giving opportunities to veterans like ourselves.”

The couple pointed to more than 6,000 UK hospitality businesses which closed their doors for good or had to scale back operations during last year, including restaurants with Michelin stars.

They said: “When even Michelin-star kitchens and multi-million pound brands cannot keep going, how are small independents meant to survive?”