Pub takings hit by roadworks

A Wiltshire couple say roadworks close to their pub have halved takings and forced them to quit.

Peter and Jennifer Gill from The Bell in Purton Stoke, say they have lost half their takings since nearby bridge repairs were started in July and diverted business from their door.

Peter told the Swindon Advertiser: "We have spent all of our savings on keeping the place running. We worked and built up the pub but now it is just gone.​

"It is not only costing us our business but it is costing us to stay here.

"I was hoping to retire within months, but we are going to have to try and replenish our savings first now."

Arkells have been really helpful, but they can't stop our rent or every other pub would want treating the same​Licensee Peter Gill.

He added: "Most weeks we would bank between £1,400 and £1,500. But I paid just £700 into the bank this morning.​

"We are normally quite full but this lunch time we didn't serve a single customer."

They claim that the county council gave them no warning about the work and have offered no support, continuing to charge them full rates.

Peter added: "Arkells have been really helpful, but they can't stop our rent or every other pub would want treating the same."​

The couple have handed in their resignation.

Wiltshire County Council told the paper they had done all they could to make sure residents and passers-by realised the pub was still open during the roadworks.

However, a spokesman admitted letters advising the pub that the road would be closed had been sent by mistake to the previous landlords.