Concerns have been raised about the future of Portinscale’s only village pub.
Those who took over the Farmers Arms in September have now left, according to people in the community.
West Cumbria Camra — the Campaign for Real Ale — reported on New Year’s Eve that the Farmers had ceased trading, along with the Twa Dogs Inn, Keswick, which is now advertising for a range of new staff.
Camra slammed Jennings – now owned by Marston’s – for the “succession of tenants” and a previous decision to “hike the rent”.
Camra said: “Prior to this, long-term tenants Jim and Betty Bonner were doing a splendid job and would have continued trading there for a few more years if the brewery hadn’t interfered.”
Telephone calls to the Howe Lane pub went unanswered.
However, on the eve of going to press, PR representatives for pub chain Marston’s — which appointed a new chief executive last year — confirmed that a new licensee was now in place and that the pub “hoped” to reopen today (Friday) under the management of Carmel Cornwall.
A Portinscale resident said the last tenants left before Christmas having introduced open mic nights and live music on Wednesdays.
“They’d only been running it since September and were trying to make a go of it.”
And John Wilson, who has lived in Portinscale for 16 years, said the previous people before that had also run it really well.
Popular with walkers and residents, he said the pub was “integral” to life in the small village.
Mr Wilson told the Reminder: “The pub is as important as the village hall as we don’t have many village facilities so it’s imperative.”
