A trio of friends who promised a fresh start for a 'troubled' Nottingham pub are quitting - just six months after taking it over. Julie Abbott, Stephen Walker and Kevin Lunt had hoped to make the Green Dragon in Hucknall a family-friendly establishment after a troubled past.
They said they were sad to announce the decision, blaming the rising energy prices for forcing them out. Julie said everything has gone up but the final nail in the coffin was a monthly electricity bill rocketing from £400 to £2,900 - a 625 per cent increase.
Julie said: "It is what it is. The bills came in and the money's not there. The takings have gone down and the bills have gone up. And we're not even taking a wage. We never even dreamed the electric would be what it is.
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"I am sure I'm one of many who is going. I'm on a pub forum on Facebook and put a comment that I'd given my tenancy notice to quit and loads of other tenants said the same." She doesn't know whether the brewery, Trust Inns, will be able to find new tenants in time to keep the pub open.
The trio are holding a leaving party on December 11, adding: "We will be leaving with fond memories not sadness." This weekend (December 4) will see the last Sunday carvery and refunds are being given for the cancelled Christmas dinner. Julie, who has managed pubs for eight years, had previously spoken of their plans to make it a family-friendly local with good home-cooked food at affordable prices.
The goal was to revamp the pub outside where some of the Green Dragon lettering had fallen off. Julie had also hoped to extend the dining area with a conservatory into part of the beer garden at the front and create a children's play area.
She posted on the pub's Facebook page: "Myself, Stephen and Kevin are sad to announce that we are leaving the Green Dragon in Hucknall. Unfortunately with the utilities crisis its left us no option. We are open as usual at the moment."
Reggae and ska man Eba Sallah will still be performing on December 9. The leaving do will start at 2pm on December 11, with drag act Eva at 4pm and a disco.
One pub-goer responded: "So sorry to hear this but not surprised given the cost of the utilities, will miss my Sunday carvery. Take care and hope the future is kind to you."
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