Lichfield pub Duke of Wellington closes over costs

Rising costs and the imminent VAT increase have forced an historic, award-winning Staffordshire pub to close its doors, bosses claimed today.

The Duke of Wellington, Lichfield, closed on New Year's Eve, offering a last celebration before last orders for the final time.

Licensees James Hanlon and Tracey Bradley, who took in 2005, claimed the tax rise from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent, which comes in force tomorrow, and rising prices from pub owners, Enterprise Inns, forced them to close.

The Birmingham Road venue, known as the Wellie and dating back to the early 1800s, was recently judged the best in Lichfield, Sutton and Tamworth in Camra's Staffordshire Pub of the Year awards 2010.

Mr Hanlon said his partner Tracey Bradley, the pub director, has not taken a wage from the pub in three months.

The couple separately own the Horse and Jockey, Sandford Street, and say stock mark-ups associated with operating with a parent firm forced them out. They fear the VAT rise will also hamper trade.

"When we buy a nine gallon barrel from the Backyard Brewhouse in Brownhills for the Horse and Jockey we pay £55," Mr Hanlon added.

"But when we buy the same barrel for the Duke of Wellington through the owners we pay £112."

The pub had ladies and men's darts groups, as well as a football team and dominoes squad. Regulars spoke of their sadness at the closure of a pub described as "an integral part of the local community."

Mandy Skidmore, aged 49, an activity worker at Beacon Park retirement village, used to work behind the bar at the pub and met partner Warren Taylor at the venue.

"It was 15 years ago that I saw a job advertised at the Duke of Wellington and after I stopped being a member of the bar staff I came as a customer," he said.

"When I heard it was closing I cried because the pub wasn't about the alcohol, it was about meeting friends and family and getting to know people who lived near you - it was an integral part of the local community."

Kevin and Pat Shelley were regulars at the pub for 24 years, despite moving to Worcester Close, Rugeley.

Mr Shelley, 58, said: "Tracey and James have brought a lot of people into the pub and since the local post office has closed the Wellie has become a real hub of the community.

"No matter where I have lived it has always been my local and people have come from across Staffordshire and the West Midlands to enjoy the great ales at this pub."

Pat, 54, added: "It is the atmosphere at the pub which kept people coming back, it was so friendly and everyone was welcome - it was a real family pub." Enterprise Inns was unavailable for comment today.