Wombourne landlord pulls his final pint

A popular pub landlord has pulled his last pint at the South Staffordshire pub he has run for eight years after losing his life savings in the dream venture that turned into a nightmare.

Jim Gogarty has been forced to call time at the Mount Pleasant pub in Wombourne after dwindling customer numbers dented his profits.

The 62-year-old has run the Ounsdale Road pub with fiancee Kim since 2002 after leaving his well-paid job as sales manager with a stationery company.

But he has been forced to throw in the towel after suffering financial difficulties and stress, with more and more people opting to stay at home rather than going out to the pub. Regulars flocked to the pub on Sunday night for a final leaving party.

Among them was Nigel McGookin, who has been a regular at the pub for the past five years.

The 56-year-old, from Bumblehole Meadows in Wombourne, said: "You couldn't wish for a better pub and it is all down to Jim and Kim. It is a shame they are going. The party was slightly sombre with it being their last night, but it was still a lovely atmosphere. We were celebrating their time here."

Mr McGooking, managing director of Fibrecheck Ltd in Wombourne, added: "Hopefully the new people will carry on with their good work and so their legacy will continue."

The pub will now be passed back to brewery Punch Taverns with 17 part-time staff in limbo until a new landlord is found.

Customer Neil Gould described Mr Gogarty's departure as "a real blow to the community".

Father-of-two Mr Gogarty said he had enjoyed his time at the pub "tremendously" and that he bitterly regretted having to leave.

Punch Taverns has appointed a temporary manager to keep the pub open while a permanent replacement is recruited.

Anyone interested should call 0844 848 3279.