A WELL-loved community pub has closed for good with immediate effect because of mounting financial pressures facing the hospitality industry.
The landlords of The Alma Tavern said they have made the difficult decision to close the doors to the pub on Droitwich Road for good.
In a statement shared online, the pub said rising costs had made it increasingly difficult for businesses across the hospitality sector to survive.
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A spokesperson said: “Sadly, with prices rising daily and financial pressures continuing to mount, we have reached a point where it is no longer financially viable in the current climate.
“We have therefore taken the difficult decision to close immediately.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank our current and former team members for all of their hard work.
“The Alma is family, and so is our community.”
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The Alma Tavern has been a pub deep-rooted in the Worcester community and has served not only as a local boozer but also as an events space for many.
HEAVY HEART: The local community loved the business. (Image: Newsquest)
The pub said that over the past seven years, it has helped raise more than £60,000 for charities and support local families.
It has also served food with various offers throughout the week.
“Our vision from day one was to build a local community for all,” the spokesperson added.
“As you are all aware, there have been many hurdles facing businesses and hospitality up and down the country over the last few years, including COVID, a utility crisis, a fuel crisis, cost of living rises, minimum wage increases, National Insurance increases, business rates increases, a VAT burden among the highest in Europe, food cost rises and beer duty rises, among the highest in Europe.
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“When you tally up VAT, alcohol duty, business rates and employer National Insurance, the taxman takes his slice before a pub owner can even cover the cost of the beer, electricity and staff wages.
“New research shows the government swallows 80 per cent of the industry’s pre-tax profits.
“We have worked hard to adapt to change and often absorbed increases to reduce the burden passed on to our loyal customers and community.”
The pub shared a ‘big thank you’ with all its customers and said it will plan a farewell party in due course.