A much-loved country pub near Bristol which hosted hundreds of weddings and other events has closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The White Hart in Weston in Gordano was taken over in 2015 by Mike and Chris Yeatman, who spent half a million pounds transforming the derelict site into a thriving business.
But after Covid-19 forced the couple - who also ran the Venga tapas restaurant in Portishead before selling it to friends - to cancel more than 100 events this summer, they have decided to call time at the bar.
"We put a huge amount of effort and money into doing the place up and turned it into a venue with a turnover of over a million pounds, which is the kind of turnover you see in Bristol city centre," said Mike, 54.
"But we don't see a future for weddings, parties and special occasions for a very long time, and the reality is if we continue trading the pub will start costing us money rather than making us money."
With a stunning garden that was created by Chris and Mike when they took up the reins of the Clevedon Road venue in 2015, the White Hart attracted people from all over North Somerset and Bristol.
Over the past five years the venue hosted more than 150 weddings and over 400 private parties.
In 2017 it welcomed legendary Somerset band The Wurzels as part of a day festival which was attended by 600 people.
While trade has been good since the pub reopened in July, said Mike, events make up 75 per cent of its turnover and without them, the couple feel it would be a case of surviving rather than thriving.
Mike said the pub trade has "effectively had to deal with three consecutive winters" and predicts many businesses in the hospitality industry across Bristol will close over the coming months.
For news tailored to your local area, powered by In Your Area:
There is a slim chance the decision to close could be reversed depending on the outcome of discussions between the couple and the pub's landlord scheduled to take place next week, but the reprieve is unlikely.
"It's real pity we're moving on three years earlier than we had planned but it is what it is," added Mike.
"We had the most amazing team working for us and it was a very emotional night at the weekend with staff and customers saying farewell.
"Over the past seven years Venga and The White Hart have served nearly one million people, which isn't bad going for a village pub and tiny tapas bar.
"We've had a good run and I think it's time to get out now before that changes."
The closure comes just one day after it was announced that The Old Mill on Portishead High Street has closed.
