Jon Dean said "it's a bitter pill to swallow" having to close down The Alma Tavern in Worcester
A publican has revealed his anguish at having to close down, saying he has been "crippled" by rising costs and a decline in customer drinking habits.
Jon Dean, who ran The Alma Tavern in Worcester for the last seven years before closing its doors this week, has urged the government to consider new tax cuts for hospitality venues or face more pubs going under.
He said: "We employed 14 or 15 people here but we've had to let everyone go. It's a bitter pill to swallow."
A spokesperson for the Treasury said pubs "were already benefitting from a 20% cut in business rates", with Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously calling it "the first step" to help the industry.