'It's unsustainable': Pub that only reopened last year warns it will shut soon unless trade picks up

But trade has slowed down and now the pub is at risk of closure.

A statement on the pub's Facebook page said: "Since our opening in October last year we have seen a gradual decline in the number of people visiting.

"We wanted this pub to be your local meeting point, a place for our growing community to come together and connect, and we tried to welcome any suggestions on ways in which we could improve to make this somewhere you would all enjoy.

"However, with our outgoing costs on a constant increase we have now reached a point where it is unfortunately not sustainable for us to carry on as a business any longer.

"Therefore, we have made the tough decision to close our doors in approximately four weeks' time if the business doesn't pick up, so now more than ever, we require your support if you would like The Plough to remain open.

"We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone we have welcomed through our doors over the last seven months, this hasn't been a decision we have taken lightly, and hope we can remain open with your continued support."

Mr Shuker, his son Dyland and Gavin Kelly were offered the lease by owner Malcolm Challoner, and said they were relishing the chance to turn the pub's fortunes around, with plans for it to have an 80 per cent focus as a restaurant.

Shortly before reopening, Mr Shuker said: "I am a bit of a romantic and would love to turn this pub into something special.

"It's been stood vacant and, when Gavin and I saw that, it played on our minds.

"Gavin has pushed it a lot. It's something different to what I have ever done in the past but Gavin and I, who have been friends forever, have chatted about it. He set up a meeting with Malcolm and it went from there."

He added: "I think we want to make a difference. Everywhere you drive, you see small pubs that have closed down and have their windows boarded up.

"It's not right. Of course, it has been difficult since Covid and a lot has changed but we believe this can work.

"We want to turn this pub into a local community place and do our best to give it a good reputation, with great food that people will remember and will want to come back for more."

He added: "We want to give it a nice, country vibe. We asked people on social media and they want something of quality and home-cooked food, so that's the remit we will be going for.

"We are teasing little things here and there about our plans and we want to make people aware we are looking to reopen. We are ready to get it up and running again."