A bar owner has said he's "terribly sad" that the economic climate is forcing him to close down. Damien O'Connor, who has run Damo's in Hucknall since February 2019, said he had tried his "absolute best" but it's simply not viable to carry on.
The bar, in Annesley Road, will hold its final weekend in March, calling last orders on Sunday March 5. Damien said: "The takings are still the same but the prices of energy and beer have gone up and everything else so the profit margin is squeezed."
With the lease up for renewal, he has decided not to sign for another three years, adding: "Now is the right time for me to go out on a high. We have had some good times and I would rather close on my terms."
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Andrew Ludlow, a Hucknall resident and secretary of Nottingham's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said Damo's would be missed. "Damo's has been part of Hucknall's pub scene over the last four years. In this time it built up a loyal following and it will be missed once it closes in March, he said.
"Sadly high energy costs and the cost of living crisis have hit the pub trade and without government support it was inevitable that parts of the hospitality sector would be lost. I am sure there will be a great sadness on its last night but Damo's will be fondly remembered as being part of Hucknall's vibrant social scene.
Announcing the decision on Damo's Facebook page he said: "It is with great sadness that I announce that Damo’s will soon be closing. Forced with the well publicised challenges the whole pub industry is facing, the ridiculous energy price increases and other factors that have been driving us to this decision, Damo’s unfortunately will be calling last orders and soon serving our final beer.
"The loss of Christmas business (which is all too often the cushion that would carry a public house through January & February) means the long term viability of the venue is too uncertain given the continuing rise in costs of products and utilities I simply can not sustain or absorb any further increases. I am terribly sad to be leaving/closing down Damo’s as you're all aware I do have such an emotional attachment to the venue, have made so many friends, built up so many relationships and humbled that so many frequent the venue and support me as greatly as you do.
"I have tried my absolute best but it’s simply not viable for the pub to continue with projected costs going into the next year, the proposed changes due in business tax, increase in beer duty, impending beer cost rise and ongoing energy and utility costs. I would like to thank customers past and present, the ongoing support from friends, family and regulars, in fact to everyone that has been a part of this pub’s journey since setting up just a little under four years ago."
Everything at the sports micro bar is being sold off, including the air con, glass washer, fridges, furniture and TVs as well as posters, plaques and other knick-knacks. "We are currently accepting reasonable offers for items within the bar and have a 'wish list' for items that customers with to purchase and take as a memento/memorabilia on our departure," added Damien, who said he has other ventures in the pipeline.
The bar originally opened as Lyngary's, Hucknall's first Irish micro-bar in May 2017. It reopened as Damo's after a refurbishment.
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