Welsh pub owner appeals for help to save his business

Brian Thomas, who has owned the Wharf Inn, in Felindre, Powys, for 10 years, is on a desperate search for a full-time tenant after it became clear that village locals were too busy to offer their support.

He said: “My last full-time tenant left two years ago, and I am at a loss as to where to start my quest for a suitable tenant. I effectively tried to ‘hand over’ my pub for the locals to run as they see fit, but there was a lack of people coming forward.

“I’m not blaming anyone — we all lead busy lives. But I know that if I were to close the pub, it would be a real loss to the community.”

Due to other work commitments and a young family, Thomas is currently limited to opening the pub at 8pm six nights a week.

He explained that he was more interested in keeping the pub open than making money, and would be prepared to “splash the cash” for the right tenant.

“Currently, we don’t do any food, but I might upgrade the kitchen. I think that if the right person put the necessary effort in, they could do quite well.

“I simply have not got the time to run the place properly, and I am not running the place properly.

“I am rapidly approaching the date when I either relinquish the day-to-day responsibility for the running of the pub, or it closes."