The owner of a chain of pubs has urged those in power to act now to stop the continuing decline in the hospitality trade after announcing the closure of all his premises - despite a £2m turnover.
Matt Ferguson director of West Cornwall Inns announced last night that, with huge sadness, he was being forced to close all four of his pubs due to the current economic climate.
The company will cease trading on Sunday, October 22 leading to the closure of the Queen's Arms at Breage, Henlys in Helston, the Fire Engine at Marazion and The Coldstreamer at Gulval on that date.
Until then then the pubs will remain open and trading while stocks last.
Announcing the decision on Facebook, Mr Ferguson said: "It is with huge sadness we must announce that West Cornwall Inns will cease trading on Sunday, October 22 leading to the closure of its four pubs.
"Until then we will remain open and trading while stocks last, so do call in to see what offers we have on while we run down our stock.
"Due to the current economic climate, together with the spiralling costs of electricity, food and drink throughout this summer, we are not in a position to trade into winter and it would be irresponsible to attempt it.
"The sad thing is we had a busy summer and we'd like to thank each and every person who came to support us."
In the statement he said despite a £2 million turnover it was still not enough for the business to survive.
"Put simply, a £2 million turnover is still not enough to make any profit, or increasingly even cover costs, as the outgoings in this industry are now just too high," he said.
"Hospitality has gone very wrong and we would urge those in positions of power to change that to act now, as we join a growing list of casualties.
"Our biggest regret is that we are forced to let down our wonderful, loyal staff - some of which have been with us right from the very start, when we opened the Three Tuns in 2017.
"We are devastated that the last six years have ended in this way. Thank you for being part of it while it lasted."
The company's last acquisition was Henlys in Helston which opened in May 2023.
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