CHALLENGES facing public houses and the wider hospitality sector were discussed when local MP Rachel Gilmour visited The Chapel, in Cotford St Luke.

Mrs Gilmour wanted to show support for the pub after landlord Steve Elliott issued a social media warning that it was in danger of closing unless more local people used it.

Mr Elliott and his wife Tracey have run the village pub in a converted church building since 2022.

Earlier this year Mr Elliott said closure was ‘a very real risk’ without a ‘significant increase in local support’.

He said autumn and Christmas trade was ‘normally’ what carried the pub through the winter, but this year it did not, as it was ‘far below what we rely on, and we are now heading into the toughest months of the year in a very vulnerable position’.

Mr Elliott said: “Independent pubs across the UK are under increasing pressure, and The Chapel is no exception.

“We are having to review our opening hours, events, and how we operate.

“These are not cutbacks by choice.

“They are last-ditch attempts to reduce costs and keep the doors open long enough to see if things can turn around.

“Changes in customer habits, the reality of running a large historic building that is costly to heat, and the impact of the recent Government Budget, including further business rate increases due from April, are all being felt.

“The sums simply do not work unless footfall rises.

“We are not giving up, but we cannot keep going without meaningful support from our customers and community.

“Thank you to everybody who continues to stand with us.

“Every pint, every coffee, every meal, every booking genuinely makes a difference at this stage.

“We hope this is not the beginning of the end, but it could be, unless things change.”

Mrs Gilmour said she had heard from many other hospitality businesses across her constituency which were also struggling to survive amid similar pressures.

She said Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last year’s Budget had announced business rate relief introduced during the Covid pandemic would be removed in its entirety from April of this year.

The Government had previously reduced the relief from 75 per cent down to 40 per cent.

Mrs Gilmour said: “Having lived locally for more than half my life, I know about The Chapel’s wonderful reputation.

“The business really is a pillar of the local Cotford St Luke community, employing 30 members of staff.

“The Government’s lack of action over business rates is nothing short of disgraceful.

“The Chancellor has publicly recognised the pressures on the hospitality sector and has failed to act.

“If you live in the constituency, please support independent businesses like The Chapel, they have never needed us more.

“Another way you can show your support is by signing my online petition calling on the Government to improve support for our much-loved local businesses.

“In the meantime, I will continue to campaign hard for Government action to support our hospitality businesses, who are the backbone of our communities.”