157-year-old pub set to be demolished after not making any profit for more than a year

The Plough Inn, in Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, is due to be demolished to make way for eight new homes as trade in recent years has "dramatically fallen," according to owner Geoff Mumford.

The landlord of 15 years said the 157-year-old pub has not been profitable for more than one year.

Unprofitable

"We’ve not actually decided where to go from here," Mumford added.

"Quite simply, it is totally unprofitable – it is running at a loss and it has been a long time – it's a difficult pub to run.

"We've been subsidising it for a number of months, probably closer to a year now – it's just not commercially viable.

"I don’t like seeing pubs that have to close down – but it’s dead in the water, is the Plough Inn."

Planning permission has recently been granted by East Staffordshire Borough Council for eight new residential properties to be built on the site.

The Plough Inn remains open and is being managed by a young couple, who will be the only two members of staff impacted by the closure, Mumford said.

Dying breed

Mumford also expressed his sadness regarding the pubs closure by saying: "Local pubs are dying on their feet".

"There’s a changing attitude, people are less and less going to their local and instead opting for cheap supermarket deals," he added.

"Younger [people] want something more lively, so they go out in Burton, Birmingham or Derby.

"We’ve stuck it out for such a long time, it’s a real shame."