A popular village pub is up for sale after the previous owners were hit by a series of blows and had to close.
The Aldwark Arms in Aldwark north of York shut earlier this month.
Covid, energy price hikes and a bridge closure all added up to a perfect storm which meant the pub was unable to continue trading.
Documents filed with Companies House show that the Aldwark Arms Pub Ltd appointed liquidators last Wednesday (8 April).
A report by the liquidators, FRP Advisory Trading, showed the company had liabilities of £696,423.
Creditors were owed a total of £1.146m. These included HMRC (£350,000), Investec Bank (£358,000) and Paniccos Protopapas (£403,600).
The three directors of Aldwark Arms Pub Ltd are Susan Beesley, Warren Taylor and Paniccos Protopapas.
Aldwark Arms
Warren and Sue said taking over the Aldwark Arms in 2021 was “a dream come true for us”.
In a Facebook post on 2 April, they wrote: “We took over a beautiful pub. Unfortunately, the timing was not on our side when we took transfer in the middle of COVID.
“We fought through, then came the Ukraine war, and the energy crisis, the cost of living crisis, the staffing crisis, inflation increases but we still held firm.
“Just when we thought we were over with the troubles, came the 10-month closure of the Aldwark Bridge which was our most significant contributor for us, as we lost 40% of our trade overnight.
“Even when the bridge eventually reopened, people had found new places to go, and new favourite venues to visit.
“Again, we struggled on to be hit with staffing issues that we cannot seem to get over coupled with recent rising costs of rates, water, electricity, food, NI contributions, minimum wage increases… the list goes on and on to a point that this is no longer a viable business and we have no option but to close our doors.”
Regulars were dismayed. “I’m so sad to read this, we absolutely love your pub!! Sending you all our best wishes,” one wrote.
Another said: “So sorry to hear this. Our favourite local pub where you always served fantastic food with a great atmosphere and excellent service every time.”
The Aldwark Arms is now up for sale with Christie & Co for £450,000.
The details say: “A traditional North Yorkshire village pub-restaurant with a trade garden and car park, as well as owner’s/manager’s accommodation.
“The business is now closed but remains in operational condition, fully equipped with all trade fixtures & fittings.
“Planning permission has been granted for the introduction of five letting units, three of which have two bedrooms each.”
It adds: “This pub & restaurant presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced operator to take on a business that has previously performed well for a number of years.
“The business is currently closed, but we are advised that in the 12 months prior to closure, turnover was in the region of £550,000 net of VAT.”
