A couple who ran a popular pub on the edge of the Lake District say they are devastated after giving up their tenancy due to the cost of running the bar.

Shaun Cowperthwaite and his partner Joanne Greggain took on the lease for the Herdwick Inn, in Penruddock, two years ago.

Shaun, a chef of 25 years, had accepted a job working under the former tenant and was keen to stamp his own mark on the pub - which is owned by Marston's - when an opportunity arose to take over.

But, after two years at the helm, they have now left due to operating costs that they say cannot be covered by their income.

"We came here three years ago," Joanne told The Cumberland News.

"Shaun was a chef and eventually he was asked if he wanted to take it [the Herdwick Inn] on.

"But after a while we were unable to cover our own costs.

"The deal we were tied in to meant that we had to buy all our stock from the brewery.

"We also had to buy our spirits and soft drinks through Marston's while other pubs could be buying bottles of spirits for £12.50 from the supermarket."

Joanne said that the monthly rent on the pub amounted to £1,038 and despite contacting Marston's, little help was offered.

"Our sales were up by 186 per cent," she said.

"When we took it over, we put so much of our own money in to improve the pub.

"We only took on a couple of bar staff, a pot washer and a trainee chef to try and keep our costs down. We weren't paying ourselves any wages.

"The kitchen was electric only and our bill every three months was around £4,000."

Joanne added that a lower number of visitors in the winter months was also a big problem in covering the costs.

"Sometimes we would only be making £800 or £900 a week, which wasn't enough to cover the rent," she added.

"We were doing well in the summer but even then, it wasn't enough to cover the losses we'd had in the winter.

"Because of where we're based off the A66, people didn't know where we were.

"We looked at getting a brown sign put up, but because we're in the Lake District National Park, we'd have to join the tourism board to submit an application."

Joanne said that both she and Shaun have given up on their dream of running a successful pub.

"We've left the pub and are both looking to apply for jobs," she said. "We're probably going to leave the area."

Mick Jones, of Solway Camra, said that the restrictions put in place by pub companies - known as pubcos - can make business difficult for tenants.


Mick Jones He added pub closures can be particularly problematic in rural communities.

"There's research that's been published that shows going to the pub is actually good for you," he added.

"Not necessarily in terms of drinking but that in some communities they're seen as a meeting place and somewhere to socialise.

"Our pub of the year, the Drover's Rest in Monkhill, is very much a local meeting point for people and even provides a library service.

"Some other pubs include a small shop. I definitely think that in some areas, a pub has to be more than just a typical pub."

With regards to the closure of the Herdwick Inn, a Marston’s spokesman said: “We are sorry that the pub has closed and that Jo and Shaun were unable to make a successful business out of the Herdwick Inn.

"Shaun and Jo have worked really hard but have been unable to turn the corner with the business.

"We have and will continue to work with them on their options.”