THE OWNER of a popular gastro-pub near Cirencester which closed due to rocketing bills and declining trade has issued an urgent appeal for help.

Chedworth's 17th century pub The Seven Tuns Inn closed at the beginning of December and now its owner Simon Willson-White has appealed to the public for donations to stop it from going into administration. 

The pub owner has been hosting wine and cheese evenings to make money from left over stock but has called for extra support as the business needs £12,000 to prevent it from going into administration.    
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Mr Willson-White first took over the pub - which is leased by Wellington Pub Company - with Tom Conway five years ago but has found the last few months particularly challenging.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Tom Conway (centre) and Simon Wilson-White (right) with staff in 2018Tom Conway (centre) and Simon Wilson-White (right) with staff in 2018 (Image: Paul Nicholls)

He said when business was booming eight months ago he never thought he would find himself running out of money.

Talks about closure first started in November when he noticed that Christmas bookings were coming in much slower compared to last year.

He said this follows a prevalent trend since the pandemic - which has been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis - where people are deciding to stay at home rather than spend money in their local pubs.

This coupled with enormous electricity bills - which have skyrocketed from initially being £1,000 per month to £6,000 at its worst - has made the business unviable.

He told the Standard that although talks about a potential 'rescue package' have been voiced he doesn't want to get his hopes up.

Attempts to find a buyer have been unsuccessful and the pub now has no premium.

This week he decided to set up a GoFundMe page in a last minute attempt to stop the business from going into administration before Christmas.

Mr Willson-White said: "A significant drop in both footfall and spend, combined with unsustainable expenses has seen the pub go from a wonderfully viable business to being on the verge of being stripped of all of its fixtures and fittings to pay suppliers.

"If this should happen, it will become a very unattractive proposition to anyone looking to take in on, leaving the village without its pub. 

"To avoid administration, and allow additional time to secure a purchaser, we desperately need to raise the current shortfall of £12,000. 

"With your help, some of this can be raised by supporting our upcoming charcuterie evenings, but we now need to ask you to help further by donating anything you can afford to invest in the future existence of The Seven Tuns.

"Closing the pub was a difficult decision but I couldn't afford to keep it going with all the overhead costs.

"The business has become unviable, largely down to utility bills, for quite a while our electricity bill was around £6,000 a month which started off being only £1,000.

"When we first started we had a phenomenal reputation and following but we have been through a difficult period since the pandemic which has killed us.

"There is a potential rescue package on the horizon which looks at relaunching but nothing has been confirmed on that, so I don't want to get too excited.

"If this package doesn't come through I will probably go back into restaurant management.

"I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the people who have supported us throughout the years, you know who you are."

To book a charcuterie evening at the pub which costs £35 for two text 07905 054099.

To donate to the GoFundMe page visit tinyurl.com/3zjeh5ez