ANOTHER Kendal pub has closed its doors and will only re-open if and when a new licensee can be found.

The Castle Inn, on Castle Street, closed once before in 2016 due to flood damage caused by Storm Desmond, and re-opened in March 2016 under Geoff and Christine Broadley.

They had been running the pub for 18 years before they retired in September 2016. 

But then London couple Jamie and Victoria Jones fell in love with the hostelry in 2017 and chased their dream of running their own pub. Now, however, after a year at the inn they have decided to step down.

“On paper the business worked, but in reality it didn’t.” said Victoria “We tried our hardest and we are very proud of what we have accomplished.”

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Over the past few years at least 13 pubs have closed in Kendal, according to the website closed pubs. Victoria told the Gazette most people would not miss these pubs until it was too late and they were all gone.

“Local community pubs are suffering all over the country in the current climate,” she said.”People would rather go elsewhere and save 20 pence on a pint than support smaller individual businesses.”

Despite the couple stepping down, they are hopeful that they will return to the pub industry as landlords again in the future.

“After all this, we still haven’t been deterred. We’ll be looking to take on another pub in the future,” said Victoria.

“We’ve met some kind and lovely people and were welcomed by everyone with open arms into the community. We’d like to thank everyone in the area for their support since we took over the pub in August last year.”

The pub will be undergoing refurbishment by Star Pubs and Bars, a leased pub business of Heineken UK.

The company hopes to develop it into a ‘premium local and a go to spot for community socialising and eating.’

Currently, the pub has a well-maintained traditional style with ‘a cosy feel’ but Star Pubs and Bars want to showcase the place with a ‘refreshed, contemporary interior decor complete with soft finishes throughout.’

The Castle Rock Brewery, a multi award-winning brewery based in Nottingham, which helped to support the pub with its cask ales, was sad to see the landlords leave.

“It’s a shame that another cask pub in Kendal has closed, and with it there are less opportunities for the people of Kendal to enjoy cask ale,” said a spokesman.”We hope that the venue remains a pub and continues to support quality beer in cask or keg.”

Mrs Broadley hopes that the pub will re-open soon. "The Castle Inn was such a big part of mine and Geoff's life," she said. "It's such a local pub and such a shame it has to close. If it doesn't re-open it will be a big loss to the community."