'Best in Derbyshire' pub struggles with rising costs

The Barley Mow in Bonsall has been run by Colette Dewhurst for 17 years

The landlady of a pub named the best in Derbyshire by a national newspaper has called on the government to provide more support to small rural venues dealing with rising operating costs.

Colette Dewhurst, who runs The Barley Mow in Bonsall, Derbyshire, said its profit per pint of beer had dropped from 84p in 2009 to 12p.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimates one pub per day is closing in Britain in 2025.

"There were 13 pubs in the village once. There's only two left now. I'd be devastated to close it really," said Ms Dewhurst.

Ms Dewhurst says rising costs were making life difficult

The Barley Mow was recently named the best pub in Derbyshire by The Telegraph and has received international attention for its annual hen-racing event.

Ms Dewhurst, who has been in charge for nearly 17 years, said it was more of a "community centre".

"We've had people move to the village because of their love for the pub," she said.

"It's a small space. It's like stepping back in time.

"I make people sit with people they don't know. An hour later they're chatting, and another hour later they're dancing together. It's great for that."

Ms Dewhurst said VAT and rising energy costs had had the biggest impact, despite her pub being busy.

She said: "Since Covid, we've had to do nearly all the work. We can't afford a chef and a cleaner. We've gone from doing maybe 65 hours per week to sometimes doing 90 hours per week in order to keep the costs down.

"We were paying probably collectively over a month £600 for energy before Covid and now it's £2,500."

Industry leaders have also called for more government support

According to the BBPA, the number of pubs in the UK has steadily decreased every year since 2000, with about 15,000 pubs closing in that time.

It warned in April that changes announced in the Budget, including increasing the National Minimum and Living Wage, would mean pubs would have to charge an extra 21p per pint to maintain "punishingly slim" profits.

Ms Dewhurst fears without extra support from the government, more pubs like hers will fold.

"Specifically for smaller free houses in rural situations, they could look at an energy cap. They could look at reducing the VAT," she said.

"The last thing you want is for people to think you're fleecing them. Really, we don't do it for money. It's a labour of love in a way.

"It's part of the fabric of England. There's a saying that the pubs are the beating heart of England and it's true. It'd be really sad to see them all close.

"When you see how many are closing you feel, 'I might be the last landlady here'.

'Eye-watering' costs

BBPA chief executive, Emma McClarkin, said: "We know pubs are doing a brisk trade, but for many it's impossible to turn a profit because most of what goes into the till goes straight back out in bills and taxes.

"We know the government recognises the importance of pubs and it's not too late to turn this around.

"We're calling on the government to deliver their promised meaningful business rates reform, mitigate eye-watering new employment and EPR [extended producer responsibility] costs, and cut beer duty."

A government spokesperson said: "We know the vital importance of pubs to local communities and the wider economy, which is why we are protecting pavement pints and al fresco dining, have cut alcohol duty on draught pints in the pub, and are protecting and extending business rates relief which would have ended without this government's action.

"The tax decisions we took at the Budget last year mean that we have been able to deliver on the priorities of the British people, from investing in the NHS to cutting waiting lists and putting more money in their pockets with a wage boost for millions as we deliver on the Plan for Change."