A MUCH-loved roadside family pub near Stroud has gone on the market. 

The Royal William, located on the A46 Cheltenham Road, has gone up for sale for £750,000. 

The pub - which is located on the outskirts of Cranham between Brockworth and Painswick - is however, still open for business according to current landlords Chris and Tina Foster. 

But, the husband and wife team who have run the pub for the last 15 years have decided to step back due to ‘ongoing costs’.

As a result, the pub has now been placed on the market by owners Mitchells & Butlers. 

In a statement Chris and Tina said: “We are indeed still open as we are obligated under the terms of our contract with Mitchells & Butlers who are our landlords. 

“The decision for the outright freehold sale was taken by the Mitchells & Butlers as we had recently expressed our desire to assign the remaining 5 years on our 20 year lease.

“Since the pandemic we have struggled to get the Royal William back on its feet and as costs have soured we have seen a reduction in footfall of around 30 per cent to pre pandemic levels.

“A large proportion of our pre-pandemic trade was elderly and it is this section of the trade in which we have witnessed a dramatic decline, either due to the fear of venturing out or the costs associated with going out to dine or drink these days. 

“With the costs of fuel and the increased cost prices which have been forced upon by our landlords and suppliers as they all find ways to cover their own cost increases and maintain their own profit margins. 

“We find ourselves in a position where we are barely making ends meet.” 

“Increases in energy costs and labour have also contributed to the current dilemma and with the need for further investment to continue to drive our business forward I’m afraid we arrived at our decision to reduce our business model to one pub in which we can focus our time and attention.

“Working long hours to simply line the pockets of others for no personal reward whilst receiving little or no support simply isn’t our idea of fair business and given our own personal circumstances. 

“We sadly lost our granddaughter three years ago who was only aged 11 months. 

“We simply haven’t got the personal drive in continuing to deliver what the customers at the Royal William want and very much deserve.

“The Royal William is a great business and has so much potential going forward. 

“We had some really great ideas to deliver so much more for the future before the pandemic hit but the changes in our circumstances and priorities going forward, simply means that we just aren’t the people who can deliver what the pubs need to grow.

“We are committed to continuing to deliver the best service we can until a buyer is found and would like to take the opportunity to thank all our loyal customers and our great team of staff who continue to work tirelessly in supporting us both physically and emotionally. 

“We certainly wouldn’t have been able to continue without their dedication.”