An iconic UK pub, which has been pouring pints for nearly 150 years, has announced it will close in a shock announcement. The Corner Cupboard Inn in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, was built in 1550 and is known for its maze-like rooms and ghostly folklore.
However, it has announced it will pour its last pint and close its doors for good, revealing it can no longer survive just months after reopening under new owners. It has blamed “insurmountable” running costs, rising bills and Rachel Reeves’ Budget for the call. The pub posted to Facebook: “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I must now announce the closure of The Corner Cupboard Inn. “This decision has not been made lightly. I want you to know that we have fought with everything we have to keep these doors open.
“We have explored every avenue, cut costs wherever possible, and worked tirelessly to make this business viable. Despite our very best efforts, the financial realities we face have become insurmountable.
“The truth is stark: we are making no money. Our operating costs have risen dramatically, and the recent Government Budget has placed additional burdens on hospitality businesses that we simply cannot absorb. »
The owner also cited an increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, rising energy costs and the ongoing pressures on small businesses, which, they said, had « created an environment where survival is no longer possible ».
They warned Britain is “witnessing the end of an era” for traditional local pubs.
Locals and councillors have shared tributes to the “much-loved” community pub. Food service has already been stopped, with drinks continuing to be sold until all remaining stock is gone.
The statement came just a day before the Chancellor announced that pubs and live music venues in England will receive a 15% discount on their business rates bills from April. This announcement followed significant backlash against the November 2025 Budget, which had left many venues facing major increases in business rates due to revaluations and the removal of COVID-era reliefs.
Following the 15% discount, rates will be frozen in real terms for a further two years. The support package is expected to save the average pub an additional £1,650 in 2026 to 2027.
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