Cheltenham pub Fox and Hounds future in doubt following closure
A HISTORIC pub in Cheltenham faces an uncertain future after closing its doors.
Tenants at the Fox and Hounds in Prestbury Road have given up the lease on the venue after saying they were struggling to make a profit.
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The Fox and Hounds pub
Regulars voiced sadness at the closure which has left the premises boarded up.
Rich Moger, who often used to stop in for a pint, said: "It's shame to see yet another pub go to the wall.
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"I am not too surprised though as the Fox and Hounds is quite a big venue and more often than not it has been quite empty whenever I've been in there recently.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see it close for good."
The pub, which is thought to date back to the mid-nineteenth century, has in recent years been popular with away football fans, who stop for a pint before they head to the nearby Abbey Business Stadium to cheer their team on against Cheltenham Town.
Lease
The pub had been run since 2010 by Robert 'Bluey' Moxey and former Cheltenham Robins player Kevin Garthwaite, who also held the lease on the Umbrella, in Hester's Way until last year. The pair have now given up both venues, instead deciding to concentrate on their building business.
"It's a shame, but we were only just breaking even," said Kevin.
"By the time we had paid the rent to Enterprise, which was quite high, and bought our beer from them, there wasn't much money left at the end of the month.
"We would have liked to stay on and if Enterprise had helped us out a bit by reducing the rent then we might have done.
"But at the time it didn't really make sense. It will be sad if the pub did close for good.
"It's a good pub. It's only problem is that it is on the outskirts of Prestbury, Pittville and Whaddon. It's in a kind of in- between area. I hope someone comes in to take it on."
It is understood a restaurant owner has voiced an interest in taking over the venue. Enterprise Inns was unavailable to comment on the pub's long- term future last night.
3 Comments
by eyeopener
Thursday, February 14 2013, 12:06PM
“Isn't it funny how these stories nearly always involve Enterprise Inns. Is this a coincidence, or could they learn from other pub chains?”
by Walker100
Thursday, February 14 2013, 10:45AM
“I think it is a business plan by Enterprise, cheftrev. I think they are quite happy for these pubs to shut IF they are barely making a profit. Certainly there is no way they are going to drop their rents and prices. And if a pub does shut then they can always sell it. And that would be for redevelopment. The land would always be worth more than the pub that sits on it so no-one would have a chance of buying one as a going concern.
The fact is there are many pubs out there making a living. The Pelican is a thriving city pub and doesn't just rely on match days, The Boat at Ashleworth, The Watersmeet at Hartpury, The Tipputs at Nailsworth, The Old Fleece at Woodchester and there are many more. But these are Freehouses and don't have to pay Enterprise.
The common cause of pub closures is Enterprise.”
by cheftrev
Thursday, February 14 2013, 9:36AM
“When is enterprise inn going to take a reality check this pub,kings head norton,queens at ashchurch,whitehart maisemore plus others all shut and gone alarm bells must surely be ringing”