The planned reopening of The Sportsman’s Rest in Porchfield has been pushed back, bringing yet more uncertainty for the rural pub.
Locals were looking forward to the watering hole re-opening for the season last weekend, but the decision was taken to put those plans on ice amid staff shortages, increasing costs and ongoing works.
Now, the future of the pub is unclear as the owners say they don’t know whether they will re-open in time for Summer, but they have hopes of doing so – without any guarantees.
It’s said that the management team are struggling with ongoing and increasing costs. Furthermore, former staff members claim they have not received all monies owed.
In October 2020 the pub closed its doors due to the devastating impact of the COVID pandemic. Then, in August 2021, Duncan and Emma took over the helm and re-opened the doors 10 months after its closure. But now, in April 2022, the state of play remains unclear with questions being raised as to whether the pub will ever re-open.
It’s been a turbulent few years for the country pub after it was sold by Red Oak Taverns and then acquired by Havenbrae Pub Co.
A notice on the door says:
“It is with regret that due to the cost of living crisis, ongoing repairs, and staff shortages, we will not be re-opening as planned in 1st April 2023.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are unable to give anyt guaranteed date for reopening at this time and thank you for your understanding.
“We area as with many other pubs struggling with considerable ongoing and increasing costs. We will give updates as and when they become available”.
The pub’s Facebook Page is no longer available.
All rubbish. Don’t pay staff. No works have even started.
Sort of a shame but how could a pub that basically relied on one street hope to survive these days??
Shame though.
They don’t like paying the wages of any of their staff…. from the cafe in Gurnard pine through the vectis and now the sportsman’s rest