Community pub in danger of closure over costs

A Peak District pub rescued by villagers in 2013 is in danger of closing for a second time because of increased running costs.

The Anglers Rest in Bamford, which also hosts a post office and separate cafe, is a community-run pub managed by volunteers.

The team behind the venue says less money being spent in the pub, coupled with higher energy costs, means the venue is struggling financially.

Villagers are now trying to raise £30,000 to keep it open in the short term so a new tenant can be found.

Rosemary Lane, finance director at the Bamford Community Society, which runs the pub, said: "I would be absolutely devastated (if it closed).

"All the people around me are fighting to keep it open and they feel exactly the same as me.

"This is something that is so essential. Most people describe it as the beating heart of the village."

The building has been registered as an 'asset of community value' and the plan is to find a tenant to rent and run the pub from the Bamford Community Society.

The pub is managed by a board of directors and run by a combination of volunteers and paid staff.

It is also used by a range of local organisations for activities including knit and natter, youth entertainment and German speaking sessions.

So far more than £5,000 has been raised of the £30,000 target.

Ms Lane added: "The utilities have gone through the roof and we're finding the costs on the sales of food are astronomical.

"So it is very, very hard to achieve the margins needed - as all suppliers have increased their costs and then staffing (and) we have had the minimum wage rise and the national insurance increase.

"It makes an already tight situation much, much tighter."

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