'Our country pub was rarely empty - but it's still impossible to carry on'

A “well populated” country pub has been forced to close as its operators say rising costs and pressure on household spending mean it’s “impossible” to carry on.

The Eight Bells, on The Moor in Hawkhurst, shut its doors last week after almost two years under its current team, who took over the lease in June 2024.

They had gone into the venture hoping it would become the first of a small group of pubs, with a focus on local food, drink and producers.

But despite putting on popular events, stripping back spending and changing suppliers it’s been unable to make it work financially.

Chris Rule, speaking on behalf of the pub’s latest team, told KentOnline its closure was not for lack of support.

He said: “It’s not that the pub was empty. It was very well populated, lots of the local people supported us.

“It’s just sadly the hard fact is the high rent, high energy costs, high labour costs, high ingredient costs.

“We were having to cut back everywhere we could. We obviously tried to keep all of our staff on and we just had to try changing suppliers.

“It was awful. It’s just impossible.”

Chris said country pubs were particularly vulnerable because their large buildings were expensive to operate and maintain while they lacked the footfall enjoyed by pubs in towns and cities.

He added: “Country pubs are the worst affected because they’re such big buildings.

“They’re so expensive to run and maintain. They don’t have the footfall that the town and city pubs attract.

“I salute anybody who manages it because it really is a huge challenge.”

I salute anybody who manages it because it really is a huge challenge

Some of Chris’s favourite memories from the past two years were festivals held in the pub garden, bringing customers together with local breweries and producers.

Its most recent beer festival, held earlier this month, turned out to be the final event organised by the team.

The pub boss said: “They were always such lovely events, very well attended.

“We’re passionate about beer and it was a really nice event to support all of the local breweries.

“Those were real highlights for us, definitely those days when we had events that a lot of people from all over would come and enjoy.”

Chris has expressed his thanks to everyone who supported the pub during their tenure, adding he hopes that the landlord - the Wellington Pub Group - can find a new tenant really fast because the pub “deserves to be open”.

“It really is at the heart of the community and we really hope for the future of it it can remain exactly that,” he added.

“And obviously a big thank you to everyone, both employees and customers, who supported us through those two years that we had it.”

The current operators posted news of their impending departure on social media earlier this month.

They said: “Despite our best efforts, the well-publicised challenges facing the pub industry, combined with continued pressure on household spending, have left us with no sustainable alternative.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us throughout our time here, and we are truly sorry that we can no longer continue serving this wonderful community.”

It was met with an outpouring of well-wishes from punters both past and present.

“This is very sad news indeed, the pub and restaurant has become a wonderful community venue over the last few years,” posted one visitor.

Another added: “Sad to see but the cost of everything is so high going out for a pub meal has become a luxury.”

It comes despite a decision last month by the government to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues by 20%.

The policy, which won’t come into effect until next year, was branded “a step in the right direction” by Kent’s hospitality trade.

It forms part of a raft of measures brought in by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to provide “breathing space” to the public and businesses amid ongoing cost of living pressures.

But while pub venues says the intention to support the industry is “fantastic” many say it’s “not really going to move the dial” and a VAT cut is needed.

Ian Eldridge, owner of Bartellas in Meopham, near Gravesend, has become one of the latest Kent voices to back the national campaign, VAT’sTheProblem, spearheaded by TV chef and publican Tom Kerridge.

Mr Eldridge explained that for every £100 customers spend, £16.67 of that is VAT, meaning his restaurant is left with £83.33.

He argues if VAT was in line with other countries and closer to that of supermarkets, it would take some of the pressure off paying spiralling bills.