The landlord for one of England’s oldest pubs located in Hertfordshire has clarified that it is not at risk of closure after commenting on the state of the cost of living crisis.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans has hit back at some misleading national headlines that said the pub “may be forced to close”.
The pub spoke to a news agency reporter about the challenges pubs are facing and the story was then syndicated to media outlets.
In the interview, general manager Ronan Gaffney said “it’s outrageously expensive” and discussed the difficulty as pubs are “being charged double the amount”.
Quotes used such as “fighting for survival” and publications like the Mail Online stating it “may be forced to close” made the situation at the historic Hertfordshire pub seem more dire than it was, he said.
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Co-owner Martin Robinson has now said on Facebook: “We are still very much alive and kicking. The headlines are misleading.
“If you read the body copy of the 30 or so pieces in newspapers from the Sun to the Telegraph, you’ll see that our management team told the journalist that turned up on our doorstep that a lot of pubs are going to struggle this winter due to the rising energy costs – costs that have already risen massively for pubs and other small businesses, whatever Liz Truss announces about price caps later this week.
"We were shining a light on the many thousands of pubs and hospitality businesses who will find even the current increases unmanageable.”
He added that the team has worked hard to “shore up our finances” for “what will inevitably be a long, hard winter”.
The co-owner said “we are doing OK so far” but added “who can predict the future with the crazy way the world is going?”
He concluded: “But rest assured, we are going to do everything in our power to ride this out and we are determined to still be here this time next year.”
Mr Robinson also thanked members of the community who offered help, cash and fundraising ideas since articles were published.
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